Ministry of Education has revealed school sessions will run 4 days per week for 4 hours under the new normal conditions upon reopening.
In a circular sent to all schools across the Maldives, the education ministry said schools will be reopened in 3 phases in the Maldives. During the first phase, schools in regions under full lockdown will remain closed, while schools in regions under monitoring by Health Protection Agency (HPA) will open for students in key stages 4 and 5. Meanwhile, schools in regions with no COVID-19 cases will be opened for all students.
The guideline issued by the education ministry states each key stage is allocated 4 hours on 4 days per week, amounting to a total of 16 hours per week. A maximum of 4 subjects will be taught per day, with each period lasting 45 minutes. The rest of the school session is allocated for health assessments, assembly, handwashing and other such activities.
The guideline further states students of key stages 1 and 2, which includes grades 1 to 6, will be taught in 19 periods per week. Meanwhile, students of key stage 3, which includes grades 7 and 8, will be taught 18 periods per week. They will also be taking 5 teleclass sessions per week.
Students of key stage 4, which includes grades 9 and 10, need to fulfill a total of 180 hours per subject during the year. Students of key stage 5, which includes grades 11 and 12, need to fulfill 230 hours per subject over two years. Students of key stages 4 and 5 are required to take two teleclass sessions per week.
The education ministry has instructed schools to make special arrangements to teach students with disabilities. The ministry has also instructed schools to mark the attendance of students in teleclasses and google classrooms.
Schools are set to reopen in July, having been closed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.