MVR 537.8 Million Paid to Private Institutions Over Past Four Years to Fund Free Degree Programme

Over the past four years, MVR 537.8 million was paid to private institutions as part of the previous administration's free first-degree programme, with total spending of MVR 695 million from 2019 to February of last year. The programme, launched under former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, provided free first-degree education for first-time students. Information was obtained by Ismail Afrah via a Right to Information request to the Ministry of Higher Education. Eleven institutions received payouts, led by Villa College (MVR 172.6 million) and Maldives National University (MVR 138.8 million). Villa College is affiliated with MP Qasim Ibrahim, leader of the Jumhooree Party. PNC's Ibrahim Shujau criticized the programme as a 'scam'.

Over the past four years, MVR 537.8 million was paid to private institutions as part of the previous administration's free first-degree programme, with total spending of MVR 695 million from 2019 to February of last year. The programme, launched under former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, provided free first-degree education for first-time students. Information was obtained by Ismail Afrah via a Right to Information request to the Ministry of Higher Education. Eleven institutions received payouts, led by Villa College (MVR 172.6 million) and Maldives National University (MVR 138.8 million). Villa College is affiliated with MP Qasim Ibrahim, leader of the Jumhooree Party. PNC's Ibrahim Shujau criticized the programme as a 'scam'.

Over the past four years, MVR 537.8 million was paid to private institutions as part of the previous administration's free first-degree programme, with total spending of MVR 695 million from 2019 to February of last year. The programme, launched under former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, provided free first-degree education for first-time students. Information was obtained by Ismail Afrah via a Right to Information request to the Ministry of Higher Education. Eleven institutions received payouts, led by Villa College (MVR 172.6 million) and Maldives National University (MVR 138.8 million). Villa College is affiliated with MP Qasim Ibrahim, leader of the Jumhooree Party. PNC's Ibrahim Shujau criticized the programme as a 'scam'.

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