Minister Shiham told reporters that in addition to Arabic language, life skills would be taught as a separate subject. Civic education would also be introduced to the existing national curriculum, she added. Shiham also reiterated the government's pledge to begin teaching Quran at every school before the academic year starting January 14. She said the government was working with teaching institutions in order to train 74 Quran teachers needed. "Instead of the ministry doing everything, we want to work closely with the local communities," she said. The minister stressed that five schools in Male would be equipped with facilities for children with special needs and two special education centres would be established in the atolls. She noted that the government does not want to leave out any student from the education system.