Minister of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development Dr Ismail Shafeeu has announced that the Government aims to increase the proportion of Grade 10 graduates progressing to higher secondary education to 70 per cent in the near future.

Speaking during the fourth session of the 2025 High Achievers' Awards ceremony, Minister Dr Shafeeu said the percentage of students continuing to higher secondary education has increased from 34 per cent to 48 per cent over the past two years. He described the increase as a significant achievement made possible through policy reforms and efforts to highlight the importance of higher secondary education.

"With the will of Allah, 48 per cent of students are now continuing to higher secondary education. In my view, this is a major milestone and a significant achievement," the minister said.

Comparing the Maldives with other countries, Minister Dr Shafeeu said the average proportion of students progressing to higher secondary education across OECD countries stands at 56 per cent. He noted that the figure in Finland is below 50 per cent, while nearly all students in OECD countries remain in upper secondary education when all learning pathways are taken into account.

The minister said that until recently, the Maldives offered only an academic pathway for students after Grade 10, leaving those who did not achieve the required academic results with limited options.

He said one of the ministry's most significant initiatives last year was the introduction of multiple learning pathways at the higher secondary level. In addition to the Vocational High School pathway, the ministry has also introduced a work-based apprenticeship pathway.

Minister Dr Shafeeu noted that Malé Vocational High School was established last year and is currently providing education to students. He added that preparations are underway to finalise the contract for the construction of the school's permanent campus within August.

Highlighting the growth of vocational education, the minister said the Centre for Higher Secondary Education (CHSE), which was established around four decades ago with just 40 students, now has approximately 3,000 students enrolled across its campuses in Malé and Hulhumalé.

Minister Dr Shafeeu expressed confidence that expanding vocational education pathways and work-based apprenticeship programmes would enable 70 per cent of Grade 10 graduates to continue to higher secondary education in the near future.

He said achieving this target would ensure that every student leaves school equipped with practical skills while being better prepared for employment and further learning.