iwIn a significant move, the Education Ministry has announced its decision to enroll current eighth graders for the O’ Level examination next year, as part of broader changes to the academic calendar and curriculum.
According to the Education Ministry’s Spokesperson, current eighth graders will commence learning the O’ Level syllabus during the second term of the current academic year. Subsequently, they will be enrolled for the O’ Level examination scheduled for November next year. This strategic shift aims to streamline the education system and provide students with an early exposure to higher-level examinations.
The Spokesperson further clarified that the current ninth graders will adhere to the original plan, taking their O’ Level examination in May-June next year. This decision ensures continuity for the existing academic cohort.
The adjustments to the academic plans come in the wake of the government’s decision to shift the commencement of the academic new year to January starting in 2026. As per the current academic calendar for this year, the second term began last week and will conclude on April 30th. The new academic year is set to commence on May 26th.
Notably, the initial academic calendar for 2023/2024, as publicized by the Education Ministry, had set the conclusion of the second term on June 13rd, with the academic new year commencing on July 31st. The changes reflect the administration’s commitment to a new academic timeline.
Despite these alterations, Education Minister Dr. Ismail Shafeeu assures that the studies of current ninth and tenth graders will remain unaffected, providing stability for students currently in the midst of their academic journeys.
The decision to shift the academic new year to January was an electoral promise of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. While it has garnered support, there are opposing views within the community. The previous administration had moved the commencement of the academic new year to the middle of the year, considering December as the tourism peak season. This change was implemented to allow tourism sector workers to spend the holidays with their children. Former Education Minister Dr. Aishath Ali defended the change, citing research, but it faced criticism due to the challenges posed by the monsoon season during the long holidays in June and July.
