Project commenced to review and improve Maldives education system

National Institute for Education (NIE) has commenced a project to review and improve the education system in the Maldives.

The seven year-long project titled “Longitudinal Study of the Impact of Curriculum Reform” is being carried out with the assistance of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). A ceremony was held today at the NIE seminar room to launch a baseline survey planned to be conducted under the project initiative.

The chief guest for the ceremony Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Education Azleen Ahmed said that the purpose of such a survey is to understand the impact the newly planned syllabus will have on teaching and learning.

“The purpose of such an initiative, taken up with the support of UNICEF, is to understand the current situation of the education system in the Maldives, and to understand the impact the newly planned syllabus will have on the children. At the end of the survey, we will know the changes that we require to bring to the new syllabus, and also to the education system as a whole. We will also be able to identify the problems with the current education system, and also the difficulties faced by children while learning,” said Azleen.

Speaking on the manner in which the survey is planned to be conducted, Azleen said that it will be based on the current situation of the school in Maldives. He said that a special focus will be given to identify the steps needed to take in order to improve the discipline of the children in school.

NIE has revealed that data for the survey will be collected from children of grades 4, 7 and 9 from all the schools across the country.

Technical assistance for the project will be provided by Education Initiative Consultants in India. Former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Maldives National University Dr. Ali Fawaz Shareef will also be providing expert assistance for the project.

NIE has also said Maldives National University and Villa College have also pledge technical assistance for the program.