State Budget 2022: Education sector allotted MVR 4 billion

The proposed state budget for the year 2022 has allotted MVR 4 billion for the education sector.

Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer delivered the budget statement to the Parliament on Sunday morning.

The government proposed a budget of MVR 36.9 billion in total for next year.

The projected total expenditure inclusive of loan repayments and contributions to international financial institutions is MVR 36.9 billion – whilst the projected total revenue inclusive of revenue and grants is MVR 24.2 billion. This means a deficit of MVR 9.7 billion – which is 11.1 percent of the GDP.

From the proposed budget – MVR 4 billion has been allotted for the education sector which is divided as follows;

• MVR 2.2 billion – Expenditure on education sector workers
• MVR 240 million – National student loan assistance
• MVR 170 million – Grant assistance for students
• MVR 208 million – Scholarships and training programs
• MVR 159 million – Government’s free degree scheme
• MVR 135 million – School breakfast program

With these allocations – MVR 3.1 billion is being spent on primary and secondary education whereas MVR 949 million is being spent on tertiary education.

HEALTH SECTOR ALLOTTED MVR 4.6 BILLION

From the proposed budget – MVR 4.6 billion has been allotted for the health sector which is divided as follows;

• MVR 2.3 billion – Expenditure of health sector workers
• MVR 1.1 billion – Procurement of medical supplies
• MVR 448 million – Development of health centers and hospitals at islands
• MVR 60 million – Establishment of tertiary hospitals in four islands
• MVR 53 million – Establishment of a cancer specialty hospital in L. Gan
• MVR 323 million – Health expenses incurred in COVID-19 recovery efforts

With these allocations – the recurrent expenses of the health sector stand at MVR 3.97 billion whereas the capital expenses stand at MVR 662 million.

MVR 1 BILLION ALLOTTED FOR ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION

From the proposed budget – MVR 1 billion has been allotted for environment protection which is divided as follows;

• MVR 968 million – Water and sewerage projects at islands
• MVR 64 million – Implementation of shore protection at Fuvahmulah City
• MVR 121 million – Implementation of shore protection at islands
• MVR 62 million – Waste management at islands
• MVR 126 million – Male’ area environmental improvement and waste management project
• MVR 127 million – Waste to energy project
• MVR 35 million – Climate resilient safer island project

With these allocations – the recurrent expenses for environment protection are totaled at MVR 97 million whereas the remaining MVR 1.44 million is for capital expenses.