The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a USD9 million project to improve the performance of the education system, schools, and teaching and learning outcomes at the secondary education level in the Maldives.
The World Bank stated the new Maldives Atoll Education Development Project will support the government in improving the quality of secondary education in subjects of strategic importance for economic development such as English language, mathematics, science, and skills education. Improved learning outcomes at the secondary education level in these strategic subjects will help more students qualify for higher secondary education. Schools will be encouraged to adopt environment-friendly behaviors like saving energy and reducing waste and support will be provided to atoll schools to expand their information and communications technology (ICT) equipment while also improving the skills of teachers to address the needs of students with learning challenges. The skills of school principals, management officials, and teachers will also be improved through targeted programmes.
The Maldives Atoll Education Development Project will be implemented by the Ministry of Education. The total financing is USD10 million, which is comprised of a USD4.5 million grant and a USD4.5 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s concessional credit window for developing countries, and a contribution of USD1 million of counterpart funds from the Government of the Maldives.
Country Director of World Bank Faris H. Hadad-Zervos said the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the general education system in the Maldives, forcing the extended closure of primary and secondary schools across the entire country. He said the project will broaden educational opportunities for the youth and advance the country’s equitable economic and human development.
The Task Team Leader of the project Harsha Aturupane said the Government of the Maldives is implementing a comprehensive curriculum reform initiative and is focusing on improving learning outcomes equitably across Atolls and islands. Co-Task Team Leader Karthika Radhakrishnan-Nair said building on these positive steps, the Maldives needs to strengthen the quality of general education with a special focus on teacher performance in the outer atolls, and the quality assurance of schools in the islands with small student populations.
The World Bank stated the Maldives has achieved almost universal enrollment at early childhood, primary and lower secondary education levels, but low net enrollment and high gender disparity are the major challenges at the higher secondary level. Learning outcomes are moderate, with clear geographical disparities among atolls, and between islands within atolls. The average scores for English, Mathematics, and Dhivehi for Grade 4 and Grade 7 students ranged between 50-60%.