The O Level examinations have begun with more than 8300 students.

The Education Ministry said that 8,364 students from schools across the Maldives are participating in the O Level exams that started today, with exams scheduled to be held in 260 centers across the country.

This includes 23 centers in the Male' area and 237 centers in the atolls.

The first exam this year will be the first paper of Islamic Studies. The O Level exams will continue until June 11.

With the start of this year's secondary school completion exams today, Education Minister Dr. Ismail Shafiu has encouraged students and expressed his best wishes.

In a post on the Minister's Facebook, he wished success to the students participating in this year's secondary exams.

The Minister also appealed to students to study lessons according to the guidance given by teachers and to obey and be submissive to parents.