President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Wednesday night announced the decision to provide student loans to 1225 applicants this year.
He made the announcement during a ceremony at Dharubaaruge to give awards to the top 10 winners of the higher secondary examinations.
The president said rules on providing student loans have been reformed and that 1225 applicants who were eligible have been approved for this year.
He said details would be announced by the higher education ministry on Thursday.
President Solih speaking at Wednesday night's ceremony.
“With the 1225 loans to be provided this year, the total number of student loans issued under this government’s student loan scheme has gone up to 3211,” Solih said.
“No other previous governments have provided such convenient opportunities for higher education and training. In the coming days too, our top priority will be to ensure Maldivian students get a good education.”
Solih said a national apprenticeship program is ongoing to train young people for skilled work under the supervision of experts in various fields.
“The training under that program will be mainly focused on areas like tourism, transportation, construction, fisheries, agriculture and information communication technology,” he noted.
Some 1370 slots from 15 companies have been guaranteed under the program with 665 youth getting the opportunity to be trained, he said.
Students at Wednesday night's award ceremony.
He added that eight more companies are preparing to join the national apprenticeship program.
Creation of jobs
Solih said the government gives priority to creating jobs and that development projects are ongoing all over the country. He noted that those projects create numerous jobs.
“Even if an airport is built, that creates jobs for you. Upgrading a health center means more jobs. The five tertiary hospitals being developed will create jobs for doctors, nurses and lab technicians in the islands. Establishing water and sewage systems are also jobs.”
More jobs are being created as the number of guesthouses and resorts increase in all parts of the country, Solih highlighted.
Wednesday night's award ceremony.
He added that an increase in ice plants and fish weighing boats would also create jobs.
“My long-term vision for the country's development is building a skilled and productive generation that has modern education.”
“I am calling on you, to make use of these opportunities, to try and become an important person for the country and your families.”
He appealed to parents to direct children to the right path to develop their skills and capabilities and help them reach opportunities.
