The regulations governing the President’s Special Scholarship have been amended to allow recipients the freedom to pursue higher education in any field of their choice. This significant policy change applies to the prestigious scholarship awarded to students who achieve top honors in their Higher Secondary School examinations.
Previously, students qualifying for the President’s Special Scholarship were restricted to specific fields of study predetermined by the Ministry of Higher Education. However, the government has now revised these regulations, and the updated policy has been officially published in the Government Gazette.
The most notable change in this revision is the removal of subject restrictions, granting scholars the flexibility to choose their desired professional path. In addition to this, several other key amendments have been introduced. One such change pertains to the High Achievers Scholarship; students who opt to pursue their studies within the Maldives will now receive a dedicated allowance in addition to their monthly stipend. This measure is designed to encourage high-performing students to remain in the country for their higher education. Under this new arrangement, eligible students will receive an allowance of MVR 6,000 alongside their stipend.
The regulation further specifies that students studying under the President’s Scholarship are required to serve the government for a period ranging from four to seven years upon completion of their studies.
Following the decision to allow scholars to choose any field of study, the government has also confirmed that students who completed their A-Levels last year and qualified for the President’s Special Scholarship will also benefit from this newfound flexibility. Beyond these educational reforms, the newly gazetted policy includes provisions aimed at streamlining administrative processes and enhancing overall support for students.
