Monday
18th Nov 2024
Dhivehi Edition
The Maldivian government has announced a new initiative to encourage students to pursue careers in teaching by providing a monthly stipend of RF 1,500 to High School students. This program, revealed by the Education Ministry, aims to address the critical shortage of teachers in the country.
Speaking on state television, Minister of State for Education Dr. Ahmed Mohamed detailed the stipend plan, which will be part of an agreement between the students, their parents, and the government under the national teacher training project. According to Dr. Ahmed, students who commit to becoming teachers will receive the stipend while completing their A-levels in specified subjects and will be expected to pursue teaching careers thereafter.
"By integrating teaching career pathways into their A-level studies, these students are committing to building the nation through education," Dr. Ahmed stated.
The national teacher training project is set to commence in September and has been designed to prepare students for teaching roles even as they study A-level content. This foundational course aims to seamlessly transition students into the teaching profession upon completion of their studies.
The Ministry of Education reports that there are currently tens of thousands of teachers in the Maldives, with approximately 2,000 being foreign nationals. Dr. Ahmed emphasized the need to reduce dependency on foreign teachers by increasing the number of qualified Maldivian educators.
"It is essential to develop a homegrown teaching workforce to ensure the long-term sustainability and cultural relevance of our education system," said Dr. Ahmed.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has previously articulated the government's goal of developing a cadre of Maldivian teachers capable of teaching up to the secondary level within the next five years. This stipend initiative is a significant step towards achieving that objective, promoting the profession, and securing the future of education in the Maldives.