A total of 350 students selected for the second round of the National Service Programme departed for Maafilaafushi on Saturday to begin their initial training.

The cohort includes 286 male and 64 female participants from 112 islands. The training will be conducted at the MNDF Composite Training Centre in Maafilaafushi, where participants will undergo a three-month training programme.

The second round follows the completion of the first phase of National Service Initial Training, which began on 27 September 2025 and concluded on 28 December 2025. A total of 350 youths from 108 islands participated in the first round, comprising 286 males and 64 females. Of these, 344 participants successfully completed the training.

Following completion of the initial training, 66 graduates aged between 15 and 19, representing 38 islands, opted to continue into the technical training programme.

Upon completion of the National Service Initial Training and required modules, participants will receive multiple certifications, including a Certificate of Completion of National Service Initial Training, Certificate III in Civic Education and Leadership, Community Volunteer Firefighter certification, Basic First Aid certification, and a certificate of completion for participants of the peer education programme “Eku Ekee”.

The National Service Programme is a flagship initiative of the Government, aimed at empowering youth through structured training, education and civic engagement. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the programme will be conducted annually starting from 2025.