Education in Maldives
The Maldives, an Indian Ocean nation of nearly 1,200 coral islands, runs an education system that uses Dhivehi (the national language) in early grades and English as the medium of instruction higher up. Literacy is very high (around 98%), and the country relies on Cambridge (British-based) examinations for secondary certification. Delivering education across dispersed atolls is a defining challenge.
Structure & stages
The system is organized as:
- Primary (grades 1–7)Ages ~6–12
- Lower secondary (grades 8–10)Ending with IGCSE / O-Level examinations
- Higher secondary (grades 11–12)Ending with A-Level examinations, leading to university
Compulsory education & enrolment
Primary education is compulsory and free, beginning around age 6. The government has worked to expand access across the atolls, including through island schools. School calendars have shifted in recent years.
Public schools
Most children attend government schools, with Dhivehi and Islamic studies alongside an English-medium academic curriculum. Providing full secondary schooling on smaller islands is a persistent challenge, so some students relocate to larger islands or Malé.
Private & international schools
The Maldives has a private and international-school sector, concentrated in Malé, offering alternatives including international curricula.
Curriculum & language of instruction
The curriculum covers Dhivehi, English, mathematics, the sciences, Islamic studies, and social studies, taught in Dhivehi early on and English later, geared toward Cambridge examinations.
Exams & qualifications
Secondary certification uses Cambridge examinations — the IGCSE / GCE O-Level at the end of lower secondary and GCE A-Level at the end of higher secondary — alongside local Dhivehi and Islamic-studies assessments.
Higher education
Higher education centers on the Maldives National University (MNU) and the Islamic University of Maldives, along with colleges. Many Maldivian students also pursue higher education abroad, in Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, the UK, and elsewhere.
Studying in Maldives from abroad
The Maldives is not a major destination for international students; capacity is limited by the country's size.
- LanguageEnglish is the medium of higher education
- Maldivians abroadMany students study abroad on scholarships and self-funded places
- PracticalitiesConfirm admission and visa requirements directly
Special education & support
Special-education provision is developing, with growing inclusion efforts, though dispersed geography limits services.
Homeschooling
Homeschooling is uncommon in the Maldives; education is school-based.
Costs & funding
Public education is free. Private and international schools charge tuition, and higher study (often abroad) involves costs. The currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR).
Key facts for families
- LanguagesDhivehi (early) and English (medium later)
- StructurePrimary (7) + lower secondary (3) + higher secondary (2)
- CompulsoryFree primary
- ExamsCambridge IGCSE/O-Level and A-Level
- Higher edMaldives National University; many study abroad
Accreditation & quality assurance in Maldives
Every country oversees its own schools and universities through its education ministry or a national quality-assurance agency. To confirm that a specific Maldives institution is recognized — and to understand how a Maldives qualification is recognized in the U.S. and worldwide — start with the resources below.
Where to verify the details
This guide is a starting point, not the final authority. For current details: