Psychosocial support hotline to be created especially for school students

Education Ministry has stated that they are working on establishing a psychosocial support hotline to provide assistance for school students whose mental health has been affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The ‘Education Response Plan’ – a report created by the Ministry in collaboration with UNICEF indicates the school students of all grades – from nursery to higher secondary – have been mentally affected by the pandemic. As per the report, a total of 91,000 have been marked as affected.

Speaking at a television broadcast by VTV, State Minister of Education Minister Ahmed Mujaahid had stated that it is of great concern to the Ministry that school students across the Maldives are being mentally affected by the pandemic.

Hence, he added that a lot of efforts were being carried out by the Ministry in order to provide assistance for such students.

“From these efforts, I highlight that the Ministry is working on establishing a psychosocial support hotline for students. We hope to get this done by the end of this month,” Mujaahidh had said.

He further detailed the establishment of such a hotline is so that assistance may be provided to all students from across the country in an accessible manner.

Mujaahidh also added that psychological assistance will be provided by Ministry’s councilors on this hotline.

During this interview, he also highlighted that fully vaccinated expatriate teachers arriving in the Maldives for the academic new year must also complete a quarantine period of five days and submit a release sample subsequently. Unvaccinated expatriate teachers must complete a quarantine period of seven days and submit a release sample subsequently.

Mujaahidh stressed that the Ministry would strictly monitor that this is followed.

He also urged parents and students to strictly adhere to HPA guidelines while in school and outside of school.