Ministry of Education Revises Entry Criteria to Expand A Level Opportunities
The Ministry of Education has revised the entry requirements for A Levels (Grades 11 and 12) to give more students the chance to pursue advanced secondary education. The updated guidelines introduce multiple pathways for students to meet the admission criteria, including academic streams, vocational education in schools, and workplace apprenticeship programs.
Academic Stream Admission Requirements
Students seeking enrollment in the A Level academic stream now have several pathways to qualify. These include:
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Completion of O Level in Dhivehi or Islam, with at least a grade C in four subjects, including two additional subjects chosen by the student.
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O Level passes in Dhivehi or Islam and Mathematics, with at least a grade C in two subjects from one stream, such as Science, Business, or Arts.
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O Level in Dhivehi or Islam, with a minimum of grade C in two subjects from a single stream, plus a grade C in one optional subject related to the chosen field.
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Grade C or higher in Mathematics or English, with grade C in two subjects from any one stream.
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Minimum grade C in Mathematics, at least one grade C in a stream subject, and one grade C in an optional subject related to the chosen stream.
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Individual Curriculum Plan (ICP) students who have completed O Level and earned at least grade C in any two subjects.
Vocational and Workplace Learning Admission
Students interested in the Pearson BTEC International Level 3 Diploma, Extended Diploma, School TVET courses, or the Workplace Learning Apprenticeship Program can qualify through:
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Completion of Pearson BTEC International Level 2 Diploma, or
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A pass in the School TVET course, or
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Minimum grade C in any three O Level subjects.
Eligibility for ICP graduates to pursue these programs will be determined by the Ministry of Education. Admission will also consider previous results from SSC, IGCSE, A Levels, and BTEC assessments.
Age and Special Approval Criteria
Students must be under 18 years of age as of December 31 of the current year to qualify for enrollment. The Ministry also noted that some atoll schools now offer A Level programs. Students who do not meet the standard requirements may still be admitted if the Ministry grants special approval.
Expanding A Level Access Nationwide
The government is taking active steps to increase A Level enrollment across the Maldives. Notable initiatives include the reopening of the Centre for Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) building and the introduction of A Level programs in 23 schools that previously offered only O Level education. These measures provide more opportunities for students to pursue higher secondary education closer to home and across different regions.