Awards have been conferred to the top achievers of the 2020–2021 higher secondary and secondary examinations.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih conferred the awards and certificates to the top achievers during a ceremony held on Thursday evening, on the second night of the "Top Achievers' Award 2020-2021" ceremony in Dharubaaruge.

The ceremony was also joined by First Lady Fazna Ahmed and Vice President Faisal Naseem.

17 students were conferred awards and certificates including three who won first place in the higher secondary examinations and 14 others won first place in the secondary examinations.

Awards and certificates were also presented to 18 top achievers who scored in first place in the world's top 10 in individual subjects.

The ceremony also saw First Lady Fazna presenting awards to 29 students who won second place in the examinations and VP Naseem presenting accolades to the students who won third place.

Students from the Maldives broke records during the higher secondary and secondary examinations in 2020-2021, with 5,955 students having taken Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and secondary examinations in the academic year.

In addition to this, 2,641 more students took the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and higher secondary examinations with 757 students in the secondary examinations being among the national top 10 rankings.

13 students from the Maldives were in the world's top 10 for individual subject achievements and six students won the High Achievement Award.

348 students were placed in the national top 10 in the higher secondary examinations, with 41 students winning places in the world's top 10 for individual subject achievements.

Speaking at the ceremony on the first night of the awards, President Solih urged top achievement winners to pursue knowledge in fields essential for national development.

President Solih also urged students to consider working and serving the country at the comfort of their home islands, closer to their parents and families.