Minister: Enrolment in A-level education up 70%

Enrollment for A-level education is up 70 percent compared to last year, says Education Minister Dr. Ismail Shafeeu.

He made the remarks at the opening of the 7th International Teachers' Conference held at the Center for Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) on Tuesday.

Addressing the conference, Shafeeu said the government is engaged in multiple efforts to enhance the education system and boost enrollment in higher education programs.

He said that the efforts are producing results.

“The number of students who joined Grade 11 this year is 70 percent higher than the previous year. This will increase the number of students who enroll in universities and strengthen the entire education sector,” he said.

Shafeeu said that the higher education will grow stronger and produce a generation of youth needed to boost national productivity.

But Shafeeu also noted that compared to the massive spending on education, the exam pass rates remains low.

He said that the A-level pass rate has dropped from 60 percent to 50 percent.

Shafeeu said that the biggest challenge facing the education sector is a shortage of teachers. He said that this shortage is worrying, and needs to be remedied.

He said that it is important that this is discussed during the International Teachers’ Conference which began Tuesday.

The Teachers’ Conference is held by the National Institute of Education (NIE) every two years. The two-day conference, themed "Educate, Empower, Elevate: Equitable Education for 21st Century Education Excellence," brought together over 200 educators, policymakers, and stakeholders nationwide.