Six years to free degree scheme: Solih describes as one of his proudest achievements

Former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has described the free degree scheme launched during his administration six years ago as one of his “proudest” achievements as the president.

Solih, via a post on X on Friday, commemorated the sixth year since the free degree scheme, opening up the avenue for students to pursue higher education for free. He described the scheme as one of his “proudest” achievements as the president.

On this day, 6 years ago, we launched our Free Degree Scheme opening up the avenue for students to pursue higher studies for free - one of my proudest achievements as President.

When we left office, more than 18,000 young Maldivians were enrolled for degrees and 8,500 young…

— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) February 14, 2025

According to Solih, at the time his administration concluded office, over 18,000 Maldivian youths were enrolled in their first degree under the scheme while 8,500 youths had completed their first degrees under the program.

“Education is the great equalizer and opens up opportunities for young people to get ahead in life and contribute to nation building. The success of the program is testament to this,” he added.

The free degree scheme has been commended by many students as extremely useful.

However, the current administration has strongly criticized the scheme.

In this regard, PNC’s parliamentary group’s senior deputy leader, Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau has called the MDP administration’s free degree scheme a “huge scam”. He said the Parliament must investigate “the crimes the MDP administration committed in the name of investing in higher education.”