Islanders to be trained as teachers to solve difficulties – Imadh

Director General at Ministry of Education Imadh Solih has said that difficulties in obtaining teachers to schools in atolls can only be solved when islanders from atolls are trained. Imadh made the statement to Miadhu when asked about the recent power cut to Hirimaradhoo School by angry residents of the islands. Imadh said Hirimadhoo islanders are asking for teachers to teach Islam and Dhivehi to secondary level. Imadh also revealed that the Ministry is facing a lot of difficulties in obtaining teachers to teach Islam and Dhivehi to secondary level.

“Reality is that not enough teachers were trained as the secondary education in atolls expanded and to teach Islam and Dhivehi you cannot bring teachers from outside” said Imadh.

He said that it would be difficult to obtain teachers for schools in atolls if islanders are not showing interest to be teachers or if there are no trained teachers in the island itself. Most of the teachers who teach Islam and Dhivehi in Secondary Schools are not specialists but depend to a large extent on their experience said Imadh.

“We believe the best option is to have trained teachers” said Imadh .

Noting the difficulties in obtaining interested people to take up a teaching carrier Imadh said the suitable courses are available for those wishing to undertake such a carrier. He noted that almost 60 students graduated from Mauhadhu or from the faculty to teach Islam and Dhivehi.

The difficulty in obtaining teachers for schools in atoll is huge issue. According to a survey conducted by Miadhu this problem is common to all the schools in Maldives. Among the difficulties faced when trying to recruit students to take up carriers in atolls is the lack of interest by islanders for such a carrier and low education standard of those who show interest.