The Maldivian government on Thursday announced an increase in wages for higher education workers.

Speaking during the ceremony to mark 71 years of Thaa Atoll Hirilandhoo School, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced that the changes will be reflected in the salary of lecturers of universities, and academic professionals working in national universities, Islamic universities, and polytechnics.

President Solih noted that the changes came into effect starting March 1st, 2023.

He further revealed that a lecturer at a national university who earned MVR 18,880 previously will now earn MVR 29,900 per month without overtime pay, marking a 59% increase.

In addition to this, the salary of senior lecturers increased from MVR 20,830 to MVR 34,000. The salary of assistant professors has been increased from MVR 23,500 to MVR 39,400 and the salary of professors has increased from MVR 26,000 to MVR 45,000.

President Solih also highlighted that changes have been brought to the salaries of management-level employees at higher education institutions. With the change, the salary of deans is now going to increase from MVR 30,000 to MVR 38,000, the registrar's salary increase from MVR 32,000 to MVR 42,000, and the salary of deputy vice-chancellors increased from MVR 39,000 to MVR 48,000.

The positive changes in salaries will reflect in the salaries of 767 employees according to the President. He said MVR 62 million would be spent annually to pay salaries.