Higher Education Minister blames students for government's failure to issue stipends

Jan 19, 2026, 12:34 PM
Photo: Adhadhu

Photo: Adhadhu

Higher Education Minister Ali Haidar has blamed students for the government's failure to issue stipends on schedule.

Speaking on a podcast presented by government Spokesperson Heena Waleed, Haidar said it is caused by students' failure to submit documents.

"It reaches that point when we can't get all the relevant documents," Haidar claimed.

He added that more than 75 percent of the students have been paid within the due date over the past four years.

However, some students do not submit the required documents and the payment has been delayed for eight weeks, he said.

This is the second time that the Higher Education Minister has blamed students for the government's failure to issue stipends regularly.

He previously said it was caused by students' failure to complete the required information and documents.

Some students took to social media last year to complain about the government's delay in issuing their stipends.

Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) sent a special report to the ministry last month, asking for solutions to the problems faced by the students.

There are currently 1,740 student loan recipients and 602 scholarship winners.

Meanwhile, Haidar also announced that efforts were underway to review the stipends provided to overseas students on loans and scholarships.

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