The starting date of the academic year has been changed to include next year's annual holidays in December.

The new academic year in the Maldives has traditionally started in January every year. However, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and at the request of many in the tourism industry, the government of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih postponed the start of the new academic year from January to August.

However, the change in the starting time of the academic year is a presidential pledge of President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu.

Principal Secretary to the President on Public Policy Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim told a news conference at the President's Office today that the decision was taken after discussing the paper submitted by the Education Ministry to the Cabinet meeting held today.

"This decision will give us the annual holidays in December 2025. That's what happened when we were in school. Also, the academic calendar for 2026 will start in January, as we used to," Nazim said.

He said the change would give students three weeks off in July and four weeks off in December. It is planned to do so without major inconvenience to students, with gradual changes to the academic calendar.