The Academic Calendar has been changed for the second term of studies to begin in January.

The calendar revised and published by the Education Ministry today show that the first term of studies this year would be ending on 3 December and the second term would begin on 10 January 2021.

Prior to this change, students get a long holiday after the end of the school year and the first term of the Academic Year begins in January. However with this new change, the Academic Year would start next year on 10 August.

The Ministry has made the change to facilitate space, staff and resources for the Senior Secondary Education (SSE) and the Shahaadha Saanaviyya exams irescheduled to May/June 2021 due to COVID-19.

When asked if this would be a permanent changed, Education Minister, Dr. Aishath Aleea told One Online that this change would be in effect for this year and the next but did not confirm it is a permanent change.

However, she did say that there are discussions ongoing to start the Academic Year in the middle of each year.

Schools in the Maldives had been closed from March until some of them were reopened in July. However, with the spike in the number of reported COVID-19 cases, the schools have been closed in Male’ City and taken on online classes.