Ahmadhiyya School has made Thaana (Dhivehi script) and Arabic writing compulsory for students from grades one to eight, in an effort to strengthen language skills among younger learners.
Speaking to Sun, Principal Mohamed Rasheed said many students complete their schooling without being able to write their names in Arabic, and only a few can write Thaana characters correctly according to established rules. He added that children’s connection to the Dhivehi language has weakened in recent years, partly because many parents now communicate with their children in English at home.
Rasheed said the school first introduced dedicated Thaana and Arabic writing teachers for grades seven and eight two years ago. Beginning this academic year, the subjects have been expanded to all students from grades one through eight.
“So from grade one to grade eight, when the academic year started this year, Arabic and Thaana writing teachers were hired and the subjects were added to the report book. Now it has been introduced to all children,” he said.
Ahmadhiyya School holds its annual Prize Awarding Ceremony on September 6, 2025. (Photo/President's Office)
He confirmed that term exams will be conducted for both subjects, and the grades will appear in students’ report books.
Rasheed also highlighted concerns raised by SSC exam markers, noting that some teachers struggle to read students’ handwriting because the letters are written incorrectly, leading to guesswork during marking.
Ahmadhiyya School is one of the largest schools in Male', with more than 2,000 students.