President says national service will instill religious values and build productive youth

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says the national service program will prioritize instilling nationalism, discipline, and productivity among youth, with a strong focus on religious values and civic responsibility.

He made the remarks on Saturday as the second batch of national service students departed for a three-month training program in Lh. Maafilaafushi. The cohort includes 286 boys and 64 girls from 112 islands across the Maldives.

Coincidentally, the departure took place on International Education Day.

In a post on social media platform X, President Muizzu wished the students success and said the program would strengthen them spiritually, mentally, and physically.

“During the training period, great emphasis will be placed on instilling love for the pillars of religion and Islamic slogans in the hearts of these youths and making them productive and responsible people with good morals and behavior,” he wrote.

މިޤައުމުގެ މުސްތަޤްބަލު ކަމުގައިވާ ދިވެހި ޒުވާނުންނަށް ފަހި ކުރިމަގެއް ކޮށައިދިނުމުގެ މަތިވެރި މަޤްޞަދުގައި ސަރުކާރުން ފެށި ދިވެހި ވަޠަނީ ޚިދުމަތުގެ 02 ވަނަ ބުރުގެ ބައިވެރިން މިއަދު ޅ.މާފިލާފުށްޓަށް ފުރައިފި.
350 ޒުވާނުންނާއެކު ތިން މަސްދުވަހަށް ކުރިއަށް ގެންދާ ނޭޝަނަލް ސަރވިސް… pic.twitter.com/SfndY0TLC6

— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) January 24, 2026

Earlier this month, 66 students began technical training under the national service program at B. Kihaadhoo. On December 28, 344 students graduated from the first batch of the program.

According to Lt. Col. Mohamed Shafiu, Chief Instructor at the Maafilaafushi training center, the curriculum includes:

• Nationalism and responsible citizenship  

• Leadership and Islamic education  

• Physical training and watermanship drills  

• First aid, firefighting, and self-defense  

• Other camp-based activities

He said the training is delivered by army instructors and officials from relevant ministries.

The national service program is a flagship initiative of President Muizzu, aimed at building a strong, capable generation through structured training and education.