Ministry of Education has stated preparations are underway to establish a special scheme for school students if the situation of COVID-19 in Maldives deteriorates.
Speaking at a press conference, Minister of Education Dr. Aishath Ali has stated the ministry is preparing online classes for all students in case schools could be closed for an additional period of time.
Official school lessons for students were broadcasted on YES TV due to the closure of school across the country for the first time in Maldives. The teleclass programmes are broadcasted as a method to ensure the education of students after the administration closed down all schools for a week in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Maldives.
The session broadcasted this week is mainly aimed for grade 10 students. The education ministry publicises the daily timetable for the session on social media. Additionally, while the sessions have commenced on YES TV, the session will be live-streamed on the Facebook page of YES TV and on the YouTube channel of YouTube.
Moreover, Minister Aishath stated although the lessons broadcasted are mainly aimed for Grade 10 students, teachers are preparing lessons for other grades as well. She further stated teachers will be continuing lessons through broadcast and other online methods for all students across the country. She also announced the ministry is working on a way where teachers can provide lessons for students while staying at home.
Speaking at the press conference, Deputy Minister of Education Mohamed Ihsaan stated the ministry is arranging a special scheme to ensure education for the students is continuing in case schools could be closed for an additional period of time. The deputy minister further stated the scheme will be prepared by teachers and will be focused on all grades excluding grade 10. He also stated digital facilities will be prepared under the scheme and lessons will be provided to all students through the portal prepared by the ministry, while technical support and assistance will be provided to the teachers in managing the portal.
Apart from broadcasting lessons through YES TV, the education ministry is arranging other methods such as Edu Page, Google Classroom, and TED-Ed to provide lessons for students. Lessons and resources will be available from the web portals and Google Drive, according to the ministry. Lessons broadcasted on YES TV can be viewed for free on PSM Connect and Dhiraagu TV.
Schools across Maldives have been closed for a week as a preventive measure taken against COVID-19.