Minister of Education Dr. Aishath Ali has expressed the need for students to attain true literacy, life preparedness, and a commitment to serving their country. She made the remark in her address on International Teachers' Day.
Speaking in her address, Minister Aishath underscored the theme, drawing attention to concerns raised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). She said that UNESCO identified two critical challenges faced by countries globally: a shortage of high-quality students choosing teaching as a profession and lack of interest in the field due to challenging working conditions for teachers. She also noted a gender disparity, with a shortage of male educators in the teaching profession.
Additionally, Minister Aishath provided statistics, revealing that 25% of teachers in the education sector are male, while 75% are female. She also said that three out of every four teachers are women, and 22% of teachers in the Maldives are foreigners. She mentioned that there are over 8,000 teachers employed in government schools alone.
Furthermore, Minister Aishath stressed the importance of exposing students to modern technology and technical skills to equip them for life. She said the formal education system has incorporated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and vocational centres. She also said that literacy and numeracy programmes have been initiated to ensure that every student is genuinely literate, well-prepared for life, and ready to contribute to the country.
This year's theme for International Teachers' Day is The Teachers We Need for the Education We Want: The Global Imperative to Reverse the Teacher Shortage. UNESCO stated that addressing administrative burdens, maintaining reasonable working hours, and supporting teachers in their roles are crucial steps. UNESCO also stated that by prioritising these issues, the education sector's most significant challenges can be effectively addressed.