MNU launches research report on teaching in the Maldives

Maldives National University (MNU), on Thursday, has launched a research report on teaching in the Maldives titled ‘Teaching as a Career: Perception, Value, and the Choice in the Maldives’.

The research was spearheaded by MNU’s Faculty of Education – with assistance from UNICEF.

MNU said that the purpose of carrying out the research is to identify the perceptions and value of teaching in the Maldives and the factors affecting choosing teaching as a career. In addition to this, they said the research aimed to find out ways to increase interest amongst school leavers to choose teaching as a career.

As per MNU, the research was conducted by a team of 14 researchers. They further detailed that the research report was formulated based on data collected within a duration of three months by traveling to 12 areas in the country.

MNU said that a total of 8,032 people were questioned for the research in 41 focus groups. They include around 370 parents.

According to MNU, the findings of the research show that the main concerns of teachers in the Maldives are linked to the low wage they receive compared to the long working hours and the hard work they do. 

The research report launching ceremony was attended by MNU’s Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Faculty Deans and State Ministers from Education Ministry and Ministry of Higher Education.

Additionally, the Steering Committee formed for quality assurance purposes research and officials from organizations belonging to the field was also in participation.