Special programs will be conducted this year to train teachers: Minister

Minister of Education Dr Asim Ahmed has said that the main target of the ministry for this year is to improve the standard of education and conduct special programs to train teachers.

He said this in a statement via media today, on the occasion of the start of the new academic year.

“As we commence the new academic year, the main aim of the Ministry of Education is to prioritise students’ discipline, improve the standard of education, increase teachers’ expertise, and develop the tools used for teaching in schools,” he said.

He said that in addition, special attention will be given this year to improving students’ health, psychological and social conditions, and that several programs and technical workshops will be held in cooperation with Maldives Polytechnic to improve the educational standard.

He said that special work will be done in cooperation with the newly-established National Institution of Education to improve teachers’ expertise competence, and that teachers in islands can participate in these training programs as well.

He said that efforts will be made to establish the necessary tools to provide adequate education for students.

“These efforts include increasing the number of classrooms, establishing laboratories, improving libraries, and obtaining modern tools necessary for education,” he said.

The Education Minister said that as a result of the efforts made at the end of 2012, teaching at 70 percent of schools in the country have been changed to one session; and that this trend will be applied to more schools by the end of the year.

He said that efforts are under way to replace the regional education units established in the atolls, to facilitate the provision of this service directly from schools at atoll level. He said that the new system will allow the schools to communicate directly with the Education Ministry, thereby strengthening the management of the schools.

He said that the first phase of preparations to establish this system is complete, including the training of personnel.

The minister expressed hope that parents and schools can work together to achieve new things for students this year. He said that the goals of the education sector can only be achieved if all stakeholders work together.