Budget Committee of Maldives Parliament has approved MVR6.4 million in the 2023 state budget towards the development of Arabiyya School.
The rundown condition of one of the oldest public schools in Male’ City had attracted public criticism earlier. Meanwhile, state decided to establish the new school building at the old Jamaluddin School plot. State moved in to demolish the rundown structure in the plot and clear debris to facilitate construction of the school.
Meanwhile, the currently used building situated in Chaandhanee Magu has become dilapidated and worn down over the years, with heavy cracks in several places of the structure.
Parents of the students who attend the school, along with many members of the public have addressed concerns over the safety to children attending the venue. Due to the danger the weakened structured posed to the safety to the students, Arabiyya School’s management has been temporarily transferred to the building once used by Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry temporarily used the building when its actual office underwent major renovations.
Earlier, it was announced that government contracted Amin Construction for the design and development project of the new Arabiyya School building, as well as an annex to Jamaluddin School, which is situated behind the plot.
While government has allocated an MVR6.4 million budget for the school’s development in a different venue, Ministry of Education had earlier claimed the total project will cost MVR168 million.