Allegations of politically influenced delay in Foakaidhoo School award ceremony rock island

The school in Foakaidhoo island of Shaviyani atoll has postponed its award ceremony to review the list of its best students.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, a parent from Foakaidhoo School revealed that every year, students and parents prepare extensively for the award ceremony, and many look forward to it.

As in previous years, the school informed the top two students of their selection ahead of the award ceremony, prompting them to begin preparations. According to a parent, the students wrote speeches and spent considerable time rehearsing in anticipation of the event.

The two students selected for the top honors included one who ranked among the national Top Ten in the O’Level examinations and another who achieved the same distinction in the A’Level examinations.

However, the parent stressed that they were abruptly informed that they were not selected, and the ceremony was postponed. Although the school said they are reviewing the marking method under a certain rule to select the best students for the second time, the parent said they were not aware of such a rule before.

The parent further alleged that the change was the result of sudden political interference, aimed at awarding positions to the children of certain individuals. They claimed that despite one student, described as the child of an ordinary citizen, having demonstrated strong academic performance and earned the recognition, they were unfairly denied the opportunity due to political influence.

During RaajjeTV’s morning talk show ‘Fashaairu’, a senior school official confirmed that the award ceremony had been postponed. The official stated that the decision was made following instructions from the Ministry of Education, which acted in response to a complaint submitted by parents on June 1. The school was also directed to conduct a review of the matter.

He said that they are reviewing the selection of the school's best students, and that list is not publicized. He also said that after reviewing according to the rules, the rightful position will be given to the student who scores the highest marks, and that they are not working to select a specific student.

Foakaidhoo School initially decided to hold the award ceremony on June 4, and the instruction to postpone the ceremony was given on June 1.