Iskandhar School

Iskandhar School was established on 10 May 1961, by the former Prime Minister of the Maldives, Ibrahim Nasir, under the name Hameediyya Montessori School.^[4] Initially, the school only catered to primary students of certain grades.^[5]

The school was renamed to Naasiriyya Montessori School in 1970,^[4] following the extension of the school building and the creation of more classrooms. The first principal of the school, M. Vanculumburge, retired 4 years later, in 1974. By 1978, the school had 588 students and 18 classes.^[5] In 1979, the school was renamed to Iskandhar Montessori School.^[4]

The school was renamed to its current name, after Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar Siri Kularanmeeba Mahaa Radhun, on 1 January 1980.^[5][4] In 1990, the school became a fully-fledged primary school, being able to educate students from grades 1 to 5. By 2000, the school began educating students of grades 6 and 7, and by 2010, the school also became a secondary school. The school celebrates its anniversary each year.^[6]

In 2025, the school's old building was demolished after being deemed unsafe for many years by the Ministry of Education.^[7]

The school also has been under the light of controversy by being caught cheating in enrolling students in 2019, by inappropriate sexual conduct by a leading teacher towards a student in 2022, and a leading teacher forcibly cutting of a student's hair without parent's consent in 2025.^{[8][9][10][11]}

• Mrs. Vanculemburge (1961 - 1974)^[12]
• Mrs. Fathmath Hilmy (1977 - 1982)^[12]
• Ms. W. De S. G. Liyanege (1982 - 1985)^[12]
• Mrs. L. S. G. De Silva (1985 - 1991)^[12]
• Mrs. Maanaa Raafiu (1991 - 1993)^[12]
• Mr. Abdulla Ismail (1993 - 1997)^[12]
• Mr. Abdulla Zameer (1997 - 2000)^[12]
• Mr. Mohamed Rasheed (2000 - 2002)^[12]
• Mr. Mohamed Fahmy Hassan (2002 - 2003)^[12]
• Mrs. Shifa Mohamed (2004 - 2008)^[12]
• Mrs. Aishath Hanna Ahmed (2009 - 2011)^[12]
• Mr. Hussain Saeed Mohamed (2011 - 2024)^[13]

The four school houses of Iskandhar School are:

Every student of the school belongs to a single house, allocated upon admission to the school. Each house is run by a committee composed of:

• A House Supervisor
• Teachers
• A House Captain, Deputy Captain, and Activities Captain.

These posts are assigned to students from grades 8 to 10. Through the house system, pupils are given the opportunity to participate in activities including sports, games, and academic activities.^[14] Inter-house tournaments in popular sports are take place throughout the year.^{[citation needed]}

The school carries out choir, band, and singing practices, as well as a Qur'an club. Students for music and Qur'an clubs are selected through competitions between the school houses and classes, as well as through special competitions organized specifically for the selection of the most talented students in these areas. The school music teachers select the students for band and choir.^{[citation needed]}

Basketball, netball, table tennis, athletics, football, cricket, and swimming clubs are managed by associations in close collaboration with the school.^{[citation needed]}

Iskandhar participates in linguistic and artistic competitions carried out nationally and internationally.^{[citation needed]}

Students can choose a club based on their interest or passion. Each week, they attend one lesson where they will receive activities based on the club.^[17]

• Islamic Forum^[17]
• Dhivehi Literary Association^[17]
• English Literary Association^[17]
• Environment Club^[17]
• Art Club^[17]
• Human Rights Club^[17]
• Business Club^[17]
• Science Club^[17]
• Health and Fitness Club^[17]
• Coding Club^[17]
• Media Club^[17]
• Home Science Club^[17]
• Galactic Club^[17]

Cub Scout and little maids^[a] programs are available in this school. Students from the second grade and onward are selected for these uniform bodies.^[18]

In 2005, the school introduced a cadet uniform body for students in grades 6 to 10.^{[citation needed]}