Traditionally education in the Maldives, was limited to the basic literacy skills; namely the recital of the Holy Quran, reading and writing the Dhivehi language and Arabic and the rudiments of arithmetic.

In Edhuruge' (lit. master's home), learning centered on individual tutorials in religious teachings. The teacher or master was known as Edhurube', or in case of a woman, Edhuruudhaitha.