Teachers and nurses pay gap: MQA’s output needs to be sought for salary framework

Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA), on Thursday, emphasized the importance of consulting with the authority when formulating salary frameworks amidst ongoing debate over the large pay gap between teachers and nurses despite having equal qualifications.

The underpayment of teachers and nurses relative to their work responsibilities has been a major issue in the Maldives, leading many to leave their jobs. The teaching sector, in particular, faces a shortage of Maldivian professionals.

In a bid to resolve the issue, the last administration led by former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih introduced substantial salary increases for teachers and nurses. From the onset of this change, there has been debate about the large pay gap between teachers and nurses despite having equal educational qualifications.

The debate has gained momentum again on social media following the salary increments for thousands of civil servants in November.  

In this regard, a person who raised concerns over the matter on social media detailed that a nurse with a diploma earns a take-home pay of MVR 20,927.90, whereas a teacher with a diploma earns MVR 14,474.40.

Teachers have raised concerns over this huge gap despite equal educational qualifications. They have also highlighted significant differences in attendance allowances between the two sectors, even though employees have equal qualifications.

Responding to these concerns, MQA CEO Mariyam Fizana Rasheed highlighted several factors that should be considered regarding the pay gap. She explained that a nurse earns a diploma after three years of studying for 360 credits, compared to a standard MNQF diploma, which involves one year of studying for 120 credits.

Fizana added that this is equivalent to a Level 7 bachelor’s degree on MNQF scale. Hence, she said a nurse’s diploma should actually be considered a degree.

“The salary of nurses should be high. One of the main reasons people who studied nursing leave their jobs is because of this [low pay]. The Nursing Council has not set forth the qualifications in accordance with MNQF scale. This needs to be changed,” she said.

“Need to take the higher road for the sake of the sector’s future and ensure employees retain their jobs,” she added.

Fizana further explained that, in contrast to a nurse, a teacher’s diploma is a Level 5 qualification, requiring one year of study for 120 credits. However, she stressed that teachers with this qualification are nevertheless underpaid considering how time-consuming their jobs are.

As such, Fizana underscored the importance of consulting with MQA when formulating the salary framework.

“I believe it is important to seek the opinion of MQA as it is the Authority which recognises qualifications and accredits courses,” she said.