Minister of Education Dr. Aishath Ali has stated suspension of teaching and learning during the extended school closure since March 12 is of huge concern.
Minister Aishath Ali expressed her concern over the loss of learning, the dangers of dropouts while presenting the experiences of the Maldives during the Minister's Forum organised by Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Sierra Leone Ministry of Education. Minister Aishath Ali said she was additionally distressed over the situation of the vulnerable children and the children with special education needs and hence, the ministry is working to resume learning activities as soon as possible.
The education minister also explained the troubles of reaching out to all students as the Maldives is geographically scattered and explained the solution the ministry opted for was virtual learning. She noted virtual learning is a relatively new concept in the school system.
The minister additionally detailed although effective virtual learning means access to a device, some households do not have the means to have one. She also remarked the very high cost of internet and low connectivity in the Maldives.
Minister Aishath Ali expressed worry about the return of expatriate teachers if the situation in the Maldives worsens. Stating the return of expatriate teachers will create a shortage of teachers, she said the matter will aggravate further should the teachers working in schools in Male' City return to their islands due to the economic impact of COVID-19.
The minister also requested support in training teachers and said the country would also require trained counsellors and health professional. She said the recovery and a return to normal will take months and years as no country was prepared for the pandemic.
The ministry began a Programme called Teleclass, a television broadcast of lessons for students. However, the televised classes had to be taken off after a month of successful teaching following the lockdown enforced in the Greater Male' Region.
During the virtual discussion, the minister also urged on the importance of better preparation for such a situation that impacts learning and said resources must be made available to brace such impacts.
Other countries have also had to resort to virtual or television classrooms following the COVID-19 pandemic.