Ministry empowered to arrange chief guests for school events

A new circular has been formulated that empowers the Education Ministry to arrange chief guests for certain school events.

The Ministry publicized the amended circular on arranging chief guests for events commemorated by schools.

According to the circular, the chief guests chosen to honor school events must be a person who is respected by society and serves as role models for students through their behavior. Besides this, they must not have been accused of a crime nor must be under investigation for a criminal offense. If the person has been convicted of a crime, at least 10 years must have passed since they completed their sentence. Additionally, the person should not have a conviction or a record of a case related to child abuse.

The circular sets forth categories of events and who will arrange chief guests for the events and who can be a chief guest at the events respectively. In this regard:

• Annual prize-giving ceremonies of schools and anniversaries of schools officially commemorated by the Ministry with participation of the society such as 10^th, 25^th, 50^th, 75^th, 100^th anniversary – Chief guest to be arranged by Ministry
• Anniversary commemorated at intra-school level – Chief guest to be the school’s principal or someone chosen following discussion with the Ministry
• Student post awarding ceremonies – Chief guest to be the school’s principal
• Graduation ceremony – Chief guest to be the school’s principal
• Special assembly and uniformed events held intra-school level – Chief guest to be the school’s principal, another school’s principal or an expert in the field

The circular, citing different protocols apply to heads of the three powers of the state, cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, and ambassadors appointed by foreign countries to the Maldives, said it will be the Ministry that undertakes the arrangements if an individual holding such a post is to attend an event as the chief guest.

However, the Ministry stressed that the school will be responsible for covering all costs, except for transportation, when such an individual and their accompanying delegates attend an event.

The Ministry will also reserve the right to change the chief guest based on circumstances.

The circular is in effect from the beginning of the 2025 academic year.