What is the standard of education in the Maldives? Many people believe that there are serious deficiencies in the education system and therefore Maldivian students are not being provided with an acceptable standard of education.
A primary concern is the lack of teachers; in particular well trained teachers whose native language is English. A second pressing issue found in Male’ is the lack of space for classrooms which explains the morning and afternoon shifts of classes. Third is lack of text books, the high prices that are charged and poor quality of the books that are available. The content of lessons is also questionable; in particular some people believe lessons in world geography and history are severely lacking.
What are the solutions? Many believe current hard working and proficient teachers should be provided with better working conditions, salary, living conditions and career opportunities (most teachers are paid Mrf 2000 per month for accommodation allowance). Some are also calling for recruitment of more teachers from Europe and the US. A further appeal is for the government to place priority on seeking more space which can be used for classrooms.
Another solution is for the government to give support to private schools which are supplementing schooling provided by the State. The Language Learning Centre (LLC) in Male’ is one example that parents are using in order to improve the language skills of their children. However, Teacher, Mr Szymon Cichoszewski, from the LLC highlights that no such support is provided.
What are your thoughts about education in the Maldives, and what are the solutions for change?
4 comments:
The whole approach to education needs to be changed in my opinion. Our setudents need to learn how to think rather being dictated.
We turned out pretty good, didn't we? Graduated from Majeediyya and then from SEC.
Went on to awe teachers in western countries with our "intellect", ability to "self-learn", "adapt to new curricula" and graduate at the top of the class at prestigious universities.
We are not few. We are many.
Has the school standards declined in the 17 years since we completed A-Ls? Probably so. Or has the distractions to studies increased? Looks that way. Or has the social structure of our society become less conducive to "intellect building"? I believe so!
OSA's founders have had a hand, at least in recent years, in this and other decay of the Maldivian society.
i should blame the quality of teachers than to the abilities of the students. I have come across teacher who cannot pronounce simple words like 'superb' (one pronounced it super b, b seperately). This is the primary school teachers. The secondary ones are just hoards imported from india and sri lanka who sqeeze the society through the 'tution' fees. Lately, the Institute of Teachers Education (pardon me if this isnt the correct name for the that institution) have been acting like sweat shops in china, low quality teachers mass produced. This isnt denying the fact that our children learn from them, but the quality should not be excused.
As for the 'colleges', who in their right mind set them up on the first place? i mean the teachers in these colleges are fresh graduates from malaysia, australia and UK and so on.. barely post graduates, teaching a level below them .. worst is when the people these graduates teach compete them for scholarships and they loose, as the quality of college education is very low and anyone who eat fish (injecting omega - 3) could get what they are on about.
Our society is blessed with parents who push their children very much (sometimes too much).
do we want our children's education to be mass produced??
Hi Dr. Hassan, Dr. Shaheed and Mr. Jameel, I'd like to communicate something to you. Is there an email address?
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