President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that Maldivians are educated citizens who are committed to building a civilised society and that the nation can be rebuilt and sustained by raising the quality of education imparted in the country. The President made these remarks while delivering the Presidential Address at the opening ceremony of this year's Parliament.
In his address, the President highlighted the Government's efforts to strengthen the education sector. He mentioned that significant steps are being taken at the technical level to improve primary education, and special efforts have been initiated to revise curriculum content and enhance the technical capabilities of teachers, starting in January this year.
President Dr Muizzu emphasised that teachers are the foundation of nation-building and expressed his commitment to enhancing their capabilities and prioritising their well-being. As part of this, a helpline service has been established to reduce work hours and provide psychological first aid to teachers.
The President also highlighted the training of 220 teachers in seven atolls to identify children with complex learning profiles and provide appropriate care. Additionally, 380 English language teachers have been trained across all atolls to improve teaching methods.
To create a more conducive learning environment, the 'Cool School' project was launched, with ACs being provided to 3,700 Government schools. Efforts are underway to complete this project within the year.
Plans to build more schools in the Male' region are in progress with the help of India's concessional finance. Furthermore, 134 school infrastructure projects will be undertaken this year, supported by the government budget.
The President reiterated the Government's commitment to education, noting that MVR 1.26 billion has been allocated for higher education. Over 1,000 short-term training opportunities have been provided, and more than 640 scholarships have been awarded. A national-level research grant fund and a research council have also been established to expand research and intellectual output.