President’s Scholarship again opened to all fields after rapid rule reversal

Less than a day after the Higher Education Ministry restricted the Presidential Scholarship to fields listed in the national Training Needs Requirement List, the rule has been revised again, restoring the option for students to study in any field of their choice.

The ministry issued the initial amendment late Sunday night, stating that the Presidential Scholarship would only be awarded for fields included in the Training Needs Requirement List. 

However, at 11:24 pm Monday, the ministry gazetted a revised version of the regulation, removing the restriction.

Under the updated rule, students who receive the Presidential Scholarship may pursue any field they wish.

The scholarship will be awarded to students who achieve first‑class results in higher secondary examinations, defined as:

• A* in three A‑Level subjects, or  

• A* in all subjects required by the Education Ministry in the student’s chosen stream in the Shahadha Secondary School examination, along Dhivehi language

The ministry also amended the criteria for the High Achievers Scholarship, which will now be awarded to students who obtain at least one A* at A‑Level.

Former Education Minister Dr. Aishath Ali expressed concern over the earlier changes to the High Achievers Scholarship, calling them unfair and urging a review to ensure equal opportunities for all students. While some stakeholders echoed her concerns, others defended the ministry’s decision on social media.