The Chinese government has donated air conditioners to support the Maldives’ ‘Cool School’ project, which aims to install air conditioning systems in public schools across the nation.

The donation was formally handed over by the Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, Wang Lixin, during a ceremony on Tuesday, with Education Minister Dr. Ismail Shafeeu receiving the items on behalf of the government.

The AC’s will be installed at the Hulhumale’ Center for Higher Secondary Education (CHSE), although the exact number of units gifted has not been disclosed by the Ministry of Education. The ‘Cool School’ project, which was launched in June with a ceremony at K. Maafushi School, is part of an initiative to improve learning environments by providing cooler classrooms for students across the Maldives.

Minister Shafeeu acknowledged that while the installation of air conditioners will lead to an increase in electricity consumption, the government is taking steps to manage the costs. He stated that the government expects a 38% rise in electricity spending but assured that the second phase of the project will include the installation of solar panels at schools. These panels will generate at least 30% of the electricity needed, in line with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s sustainability goals. Additionally, the project is set to create new job opportunities, particularly in the field of maintenance, as the demand for technicians to service the air conditioning systems grows across the islands.