Maldivian schools remain short of over 600 special needs education (SEN) teachers, says Education Minister Dr. Ismail Shafeeu.
Speaking on Public Service Media (PSM)’s ‘Riyaasee Bayaan 2025’ panel discussion on Friday night – which focused on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’a annual address at the Parliament the previous day – Shafeeu highlighted on a shortage of teachers in public schools.
Shafeeu said that schools are short of some 230 primary grade teachers.
The shortage of SEN teachers is more than double that.
“We need over 600 teachers to teach students with complex learning profiles who need our attention and caring the most,” he said.
He expressed hopes that the implementation of favorable working conditions for teachers as instructed by President Muizzu will result in positive outcomes in the education sector.
Education MInister Dr Ismail Shafeeu. (Photo/Education MInistry)
Shafeeu said that there are over 100 students enrolled in the national program to produce teachers, and hopes more school graduates will join teaching courses.
“If we are able to shape the education sector in a positive manner such as this, we may be able to create a young, educated and capable teaching force over the next 10 years or so,” he said.
President Muizzu had previously announced plans to introduce a risk allowance for SEN teachers in a bid to address the severe shortage.
The former administration had implemented changes to the pay structure of education development professionals, which increased the monthly salary of the lowest ranked professionals to over MVR 20,000, and called the salary of the highest ranked professionals at MVR 32,218.