A temporary list of recipients will now be made public under the student loan scheme before a permanent list, in order to allow a period of one week for applicants to submit complaints prior to finalizing those who will receive loans under the programme.

Minister of Higher Education Dr. Ibrahim Hassan made the remarks during an appearance on Raajje TV's "Fala Surukhee" programme, where he highlighted the importance given to educating the youth of the nation even amid the global Covid-19 pandemic as the government has continued to supply student loans for those seeking to attain higher education in the Maldives.

Minister Dr. Ibrahim Hassan went on to note the difficulties faced by students currently studying under the loan scheme who have had their education impacted by Covid-19, and noted that the government had deigned to conduct the student loan scheme as before without changes despite the economic impact of Covid-19. Dr. Hassan also added that the government was working to find educational opportunities for those students who were in foreign countries with their education discontinued, with the goal being to have as many educated youth working in the Maldives after completing higher studies under the loan scheme.

In addition to this, Minister Dr. Hassan said that the Ministry of Higher Education was working to resolve issues in their online portal, along with procedural flaws in how student loans are distributed to students studying under the government's education financing scheme.

Minister Dr. Hassan announced that the Ministry of Higher Education had made changes to how the loans were allocated to students, in order to make the process fairer and more transparent. The Minister confirmed that a temporary list of recipients of the student loan would now be announced, in order to allow applicants a one-week period to submit complaints on the allocation of points.

Following this, Minister Dr. Ibrahim Hassan said that a permanent list of those students receiving the student loan would be made public after two weeks of the temporary list, so that the Ministry of Higher Education would have time to make adjustments to the list after reviewing complaints.

Over 7,800 youths have been given the opportunity to pursue higher education under the free first degree programme initiated by the Solih administration in this government's first year. MVR 551 million has been allocated from this year's budget for the government's higher education loan scheme and the free first degree programme.

The Ministry of Higher Education is now preparing to open applications for the student loan scheme. The last batch of loans had been disbursed in June last year, with 514 students receiving MVR 151 million in loans to pursue higher education opportunities. While 770 slots are set to be opened up under the student loan scheme this year, the government has confirmed that special placements will be provided for those with disabilities under the scheme.