Former minister urges review of new scholarship regulation

Former Education Minister Dr. Aishath Ali has criticised the recent changes to the High Achievers Scholarship regulation, calling the decision unfair and urging the government to review the policy to ensure equal opportunities for all students.

Under the revised regulation issued by the Higher Education Ministry, students who complete the higher secondary examination will qualify for the High Achievers Scholarship only if they obtain at least one A* in A‑Level.

In a Facebook post, Dr. Aishath Ali described the change as a violation of the rights of students who work hard to achieve high results in their chosen subject streams. She said it is concerning that students’ future opportunities are being restricted due to subjects that have no relevance to the fields they wish to pursue.

She added that such decisions risk closing pathways for students who have demonstrated strong academic potential.

Dr. Aishath said she hopes the regulation will be reviewed, taking into account the negative impact of the change, and revised in a way that ensures equal opportunities for all students.