Ministry of Education said that almost all goals of education sector intended for government’s first year have been achieved.
Dr. Abdulla Nazeer, Minister of State for Education said to Sun Online on Tuesday that Ministry of Education has achieved almost all the goals intended for the first year from government’s manifesto. Minister of Education Dr. Aishath Shiham has shared the achievements made by education sector within the first of year of this government. Minister said that while Quran is made a compulsory subject for all the students from grades one to seven, Quran teachers have been allocated for all schools within this year.
Minister also noted that Arabic language was taught to 500 students of grade one from 20 schools of Maldives and efforts were being made to widen Arabic education in the country.
“Efforts are ongoing to establish two Arabic medium schools in South and North of Maldives. Arabic will be taught in Nooraanee School of Hithadhoo of Addu city in the academic year 2015,” said Minister of Education.
Minister Dr. Aishath Shiham said that preparations were ongoing to start Arabic and Dhivehi classes for Maldivian students in Trivandrum just like the way these classes were being conducted in Sri Lanka at the moment.
Giving information to media, Minister said that life skills program that has been designed to develop skills and instill leadership among the students were conducted in all the schools across the country except 32 schools this year and efforts to formulate important guidelines on leadership and national responsibilities would begin next year. Education Minister said that while “no child left behind” was one of the most important policies of this government, many students have already joined BTech courses, school based vocational courses from Polytechnic and “Dhasvaaru” program. A total of 715 students have joined in these three skill based programs conducted by the government.
Minister noted that within the first year of government, five units to cater for children with special educational needs have been established in five islands, two early intervention centers have been established in two islands and one child was going to complete internship under “Through”, the program that provides skill based education for children with special educational needs. She also stated that 521 students, who were qualified, have taken part in the pharmacist training that is conducted in collaboration with State Trading Organization (STO).
“Apart from this, discussions are ongoing with different organizations to provide vocational or skills education opportunities for Jamaaluddin School six students with hearing impairment,” said Minister Dr.Aishath Shiham. With regard to the infrastructure and resources, Minister said that 96 classrooms have been constructed, formation of 128 classrooms were in progress and MVR 19.5 million has been spent to provide resources to schools and to buy sports items for students within the first year of president Yameen’s government.
Minister shared with media that under the agreement signed with Ministry of Health at the beginning of this year, all students of grade one; a total 5792 students’ health screening has been done and a policy on child protection has been made to ensure safety and protection of students.
Ministry of Education has compiled University regulations under the policy to ensure higher education. Education Ministry said that university regulations would soon be endorsed and implemented.