Maldives audit reveals mismanagement of MVR 836 million free degree scheme

An audit by the Auditor General’s Office has revealed significant mismanagement regarding the Maldives government’s free undergraduate education scheme. Between 2019 and 2024, the state spent approximately MVR 836 million on the program, which was introduced under former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to fund first-degree education.

The report found that while 16,388 students were approved for the scheme, the government lacks adequate records to identify which students actually completed their studies. Due to insufficient monitoring and information-sharing with learning centers, the state could not track whether students graduated, deferred, or changed programs.

Key findings include the expenditure of MVR 19 million on 790 students who discontinued their studies, with no efforts made to recover these funds. Additionally, the audit noted that MVR 9.37 million was spent on 271 students who had already obtained a degree, violating the scheme's intent to fund only first degrees. Furthermore, MVR 191 million in higher education loans remained unpaid by the end of 2022.