On Thursday, 16th July 2026, Villa College and the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development announced a joint effort to improve primary education in the Maldives. The Ministry awarded Villa College a consultancy project aimed at strengthening remediation and individualised learning support in literacy and numeracy. The formal agreement was signed at the Ministry of Education by State Minister Dr Abdul Latheef Mohamed and Villa College Deputy Vice Rector for Research and Innovation Dr Mohamed Adil.

This national initiative focuses on improving foundational reading and mathematics skills for young learners. The project aims to introduce evidence-based practices that provide individualised learning support for students who need extra help. By identifying and addressing the specific needs of these students, the initiative seeks to improve basic literacy and numeracy outcomes across the country. Providing this type of targeted support helps create a more effective and supportive educational environment for children.

The Institute for Research and Innovation at Villa College will manage the implementation of this project. The work is divided into clear steps to ensure practical results in the classroom. The core activities include reviewing and updating national guidelines, creating useful tools and resources for schools, supporting the rollout in selected locations, and recording lessons learned to help expand the programme in the future. Structuring the project in this way ensures that educational research is successfully applied to everyday teaching.

Participating in this consultancy project reflects the commitment of Villa College to education and community well-being. Working alongside the Ministry and other stakeholders allows the college to apply its research capabilities directly to the national school system. This collaboration highlights the practical value of bringing higher education institutions and government bodies together to support better learning outcomes for children across the Maldives.