MP for Feydhoo Ibrahim Didi has called for education laws in the Maldives to be updated to reflect the needs of modern students, highlighting the country’s high youth education rate.

Speaking during the parliamentary debate on amendments to the Education Act (Law No. 24/2020), proposed by government-aligned MP Dr. Anaara Naeem, Didi said 99.73 per cent of Maldivians aged between 15 and 24 are either currently studying or have received an education.

He also cited a national literacy rate of 98.2 per cent, noting that the Maldives ranks 24th internationally in education, according to figures he presented during the debate.

Didi said the proposed amendments are important reforms and stressed that education laws must be designed to make learning more accessible and address the needs of students at different stages of their education.

He also highlighted the Dhivehi National Service program, which targets school leavers. He said 352 young people from around 125 islands, including 288 males and 64 females, were participating in the program as of the 24th of this month.

In addition, Didi revealed that 2,116 Maldivian students are currently pursuing higher education overseas, comprising 1,201 females and 915 males.

He stressed that the proposed legal reforms should also take into account the needs of students pursuing higher education both in the Maldives and abroad.