Maldives has the most educated people per capita in the region?

One of my friends recently forwarded this link to a report on Maldivian newspaper "Mihaaru", saying that "looking at the comments I don’t know how the Maldives has the most educated people per capita in the region".

It was an article dated 21 March 2023 about the Maldives government's decision to conduct a one-year study in Raa atoll Vandhoo island, one of the leading islands where turtles lay eggs. A day before, the environment ministry had signed an agreement with Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) and the non-governmental organisation (NGO), Olive Ridley Project (ORP) which works towards the protection of turtles and tortoises.

Under the agreement, Vandhoo's beach was to be monitored for one year to assess the changes that occur to the turtle population.

The island is overseen by WAMCO to manage waste originating from northern atolls and is one of the islands in Maldives where most number of turtles lay eggs.

Under the agreement:

- WAMCO is to recruit Assistant Environmental Safeguards Officers;
- their responsibility is monitoring and protecting the areas where turtles lay eggs;
- training the Officers in cooperation with ORP; and
- creating awareness among WAMCO personnel working in that island.

According to the ministry, in 2021, a study was carried out as a pilot project in Raa atoll Innamaadhoo island in cooperation with Maldives' Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under efforts to revive the turtle population. The 3-month study revealed that there was a large decrease in the number of turtles laying eggs on the island.

From 4 April 2016, all types of turtles and tortoises were declared protected species under the environmental laws of Maldives. Accordingly, catching, taking their eggs, or other actions that can amount to harassment were outlawed. Although heavy fines are levied, still there arise cases from time to time where Maldivians catch and eat turtles.

There were 6 comments to the article:

1) Semi: "Senior government officials and police officers lead in catching and eating turtles. How can we then bring a stop to this? This is tragic. Turtles are important for the environment, tourism, and the economy. Catching, eating and driving them to extinction is an atrocity".

2) Dhagaiyfaanu (magnet): "Better spend that government money on Maldivian organisations rather than funding a frivolous trap set by a foreign entity. We need to get rid of our Third World character".

3) Alibe: "Most turtles are found on TikTok".

4) Majaa gaumeh (funny nation): "Lol (laugh out loud). Conduct a study on the cost of living".

5) Dhihdhoo meehaa (Dhihdhoo island person): "You are still conducting a study trying to determine the changes that occur to the turtle population. Conduct a study on the declining local population while the foreign population is increasing and see what kind of result that yields".

6) Radheef official: "You people will always conduct studies".