Schools today are unable to conduct any extracurricular activities without relying on labor and fundraising efforts of parents and teachers: Mauroof

Mauroof Zakir, the Member of Parliament for the Kendhoo constituency, has stated that the financial situation of schools has deteriorated significantly. He noted that schools are now forced to rely on fundraising efforts involving parents and teachers to conduct any additional activities.

During Monday's parliamentary debate on the government-proposed amendment to the Education Act, the member observed that every legislative revision submitted by the current administration appears focused on cost-cutting measures. Mauroof further alleged that these austerity measures are being implemented solely to divert funds toward President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s personal expenses.

Highlighting budget constraints as one of the most significant challenges facing schools today, Mauroof stated that even the most basic essential supplies are currently unavailable to educational institutions.

The most significant challenge facing the Maldivian education sector is the lack of adequate funding. Schools are struggling to obtain even the most basic necessities, to the extent that extracurricular activities have become impossible to organize without external support. Currently, schools are forced to rely on organizing workdays, soliciting labor from parents and teachers, and conducting fundraising initiatives through Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) just to facilitate any additional school activities.

Mauroof Zakir

The Member also expressed concern, stating that it remains unclear how the current administration is utilizing the budget approved by Parliament for the education sector and other areas.

"I fail to understand how the substantial budget approved by this Parliament is being utilized. We are constantly receiving calls from schools seeking sponsorships. Whether it is for extracurricular activities, sporting events, school anniversaries, or prize-giving ceremonies, schools have become entirely dependent on securing external funding from major corporations. I am at a loss as to where the budget we allocate for these schools is actually being spent."

Mauroof Zakir

Mauroof repeatedly asserted that while the government claims to be cutting costs, its true priority is undertaking projects solely for the personal benefit and interest of the President. He further stated that the administration would go as far as halting education and other essential services to achieve these personal objectives.