The Education Ministry of the Maldives has successfully cleared MVR 250 million out of MVR 287 million in outstanding payments accumulated from 2019 to 2023. Education Minister Dr. Ismail Shafeeu highlighted the ministry’s commitment to resolving financial challenges while maintaining ongoing projects. The remaining MVR 37 million will be paid after addressing specific issues related to those debts.
The financial strain stems from unpaid contracts and halted projects inherited by the current administration. For example, when the government transitioned, MVR 128 million worth of school construction and development projects were stalled due to non-payment to contractors. The current administration has prioritized resolving these delays, allocating funds strategically to resume work on critical projects
Amid these financial efforts, questions arose regarding a Male’ school project awarded during the tenure of former Education Minister Dr. Aishath Ali. The project, contracted for MVR 16 million, has faced scrutiny due to missing documents and allegations of improper handling of variations and expediting costs. In July, the ministry filed a police case against Aishath Ali over deleted official emails that are reportedly linked to the project
The Education Ministry has committed to addressing its financial legacy while moving forward with essential developments in the sector.
