# Iskandhar School

Iskandhar School is a government-run public school in Malé, Maldives. It was founded on 10 May 1961, under the name of Hameediyya Montessori School. The school currently has over 2000 students and over 130 teachers. It is one of the oldest educational institutions in the Maldives.

## History

Iskandhar School was established on 10 May 1961, by the former Prime Minister of the Maldives, Ibrahim Nasir, under the name Hameediyya Montessori School. Initially, the school only catered to primary students of certain grades.
The school was renamed to Naasiriyya Montessori School in 1970, 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. In 1979, the school was renamed to Iskandhar Montessori School.
The school was renamed to its current name, after Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar Siri Kularanmeeba Mahaa Radhun, on 1 January 1980. 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.
The school also has been under the light of controversy by inappropriate sexual conduct by a leading teacher towards a student.

### Previous Principals

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

## School houses

The four school houses of Iskandhar School are:
| Name of Ahnaf House | Colour | Representing |
| Isdhoo | Green | Isdhoo dynasty |
| Hura | Blue | Huraa dynasty |
| Hilaalee | Purple | Hilaalee dynasty |
| Utheemu | Pink | Utheemu dynasty |
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. Inter-house tournaments in popular sports are take place throughout the year.

## Facilities

| Facility | Description |
| Library | The school library includes reference books, fiction books, non-fiction books, encyclopedias, and magazines. The use of the library is permitted during a library period given to students on certain days. It can also be used by expatriate students during Dhivehi and Islam periods. |
| Science Laboratory | The use of this laboratory is permitted during environmental studies and science periods. |
| Audio Visual Room | This room provides a TV, a Video CD player, and a DVD player. |
| Music Room | Students receive music classes weekly here. |
| Computer Laboratory/Art Room | For students studying computer science to learn and for students studying art to draw or paint. This room is fully air-conditioned. |

## Extracurricular activities

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.
Basketball, netball, table tennis, athletics, football, cricket, and swimming clubs are managed by associations in close collaboration with the school.
Iskandhar participates in linguistic and artistic competitions carried out nationally and internationally.

## Club activities

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.

### List of clubs

* Islamic Forum
* Dhivehi Literary Association
* English Literary Association
* Environment Club
* Art Club
* Human Rights Club
* Business Club
* Science Club
* Health and Fitness Club
* Coding Club
* Media Club
* Home Science Club
* Galactic Club

## Uniform bodies

Cub Scout and little maids programs are available in this school. Students from the second grade and onward are selected for these uniform bodies.
In 2005, the school introduced a cadet uniform body for students in grades 6 to 10.