Cool School Project: Only 61 percent complete 10 months after original deadline
Minister of Education Dr. Ismail Shafee has revealed that only 61 percent of the government's "Cool School" project has been completed, despite the original deadline for air-conditioning all schools having passed. Responding to inquiries in Parliament, the Minister stated that while air-conditioning units have been dispatched to all schools, delays persist in several islands due to ongoing electrical grid upgrades. The government continues to face public and parental criticism over the project's slow progress.
Minister of Education Dr. Ismail Shafeeu at the People's Majlis. | People's Majlis
Education Minister Dr. Ismail Shafeeu has announced that 61 percent of the "Cool School" project has been completed. This update comes 10 months after the original deadline for the Ministry of Education's initiative, which aims to install air conditioning in all government classrooms across the Maldives by September 2025.
During Tuesday’s Parliament session, the Minister was summoned for questioning, during which Ahmed Azaan Marzooq, the Member for Central Hithadhoo constituency, raised inquiries regarding the government’s "Cool School" project. The MP noted that while air conditioning units have been installed in all schools across Addu City, they remain non-functional due to a lack of power supply. Consequently, the member sought a definitive timeline for when the project would be completed.
Avoiding a direct answer to the question, the Minister initially highlighted the government's efforts to reform school operations under the guidance of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. He further noted that although ten months have passed since the project's scheduled completion date, only 61 percent of the work has been finished.
The government has launched this project to combat rising temperatures and enhance the comfort of classroom environments. We have initiated this work across a total of 217 schools. To date, 61 percent of the schools have seen the completion of these installations. Our current focus is on upgrading the electrical grids and finalizing the wiring in the remaining schools; air conditioning units have already been dispatched to all participating institutions.Minister of Education Dr. Ismail Shafeeu
The government is facing mounting criticism from parents over its failure to fulfill the pledge to air-condition all public school classrooms under the Education Ministry’s "Cool School" project.
Minister of Education Dr. Ismail Shafeeu previously stated that the government aims to complete the installation of air conditioning in all school classrooms across the country by September 2025.
However, the government failed to fulfill this pledge by the end of September. With four months having passed since then and the 2026 academic year now underway, the administration is facing heavy public criticism for its continued failure to deliver on the promise.
