Administration Discloses New Pay Framework For Higher Education Sector

On Monday, the current administration held a press conference to disclose details about the new pay framework for higher education sector staff. This was in light of the announcement made by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during his 5^th national address to revise the salary structure of higher education sector staff.

The press conference was hosted by the Minister of Finance, Ibrahim Ameer together with the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Ibrahim Hassan and the Secretary General of the National Pay Commission, Dr Mohamed Faizal. The new framework will be put into effect starting from March 1^st, 2023 and is facilitated under the administration’s pledge to improve and enhance the educational sector of the Maldives.

The government strongly believes that the foundation for creating productive citizens lies in the educational and training opportunities available to them, which are reliant on the level and quality of the education sector and its constituents. Hence, the administration has been taking great strides to improve the quality of teachers and ensure a commensurate wage for both education and high-education sector staff.

Speaking at the press conference. Minister Ameer noted that revisions were brought to the pay structure after holding consultations with representatives of both Maldives National University (MNU) and the Islamic University of the Maldives (IUM). The Minister added that staff will be entitled to further promotions every two years and the change in pay would bring an overall positive impact on the standards of educational sectors in the Maldives.

Dr Faizal elaborated on the framework stating that the new pay structure unveiled would make 14-99% increments in salaries of higher education staff whereas administrative staff will also receive a 35% boost on their wages. The new, harmonized pay structure for all government employees will curb any discrepancies and ensure uniform pay for staff in the same position and level in all government offices and institutions.