President announces MVR 500M education budget; plans to establish SEN classrooms in all schools

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Wednesday announced plans to establish Special Education Needs (SEN) classrooms in all schools in the Maldives to enhance inclusivity in the country’s education system.

Addressing a rally in Sh. Funadhoo on Wednesday night, President Muizzu announced his administration will be allocating MVR 500 million for education sector in the 2026 budget.

At the rally, President Muizzu highlighted on the lack of educational opportunities for students with disabilities, especially in outer lying islands.

He stressed that disabilities should not bar citizens from access to basic rights and services such as education.

President Muizzu said that enhancing inclusive education will be a key focus area for his administration next year.

He said that this includes an initiative to create inclusive classrooms in all schools in the Maldives.

“We are adding an initiating to establish inclusive classrooms in all schools in the Maldives with greater focus on this than ever before. We are already training the teachers needed for this,” he said, adding that 80 teachers have already been trained in special education.

According to President Muizzu, another key focus next year will be on expanding higher secondary opportunities nationwide.

As such, President Muizzu announced plans to expand pathways for students to pursue higher secondary education in their chosen disciplines, and also establish a vocational high school next year.

According to President Muizzu, the vocational high school being developed in Male’ will offer vocational training in 10 fields.

All Grade 10 graduates under the age of 18 as of end of next year are eligible to enroll in the new school, he said.