EDUCATION

Schools in the Maldives follow the British syllabus. Students appear for the GCE ‘O’ Level Examination of Cambridge University. For the ‘A’ Level they have the EDEXCEL Examination. There is very limited opportunity for higher studies in the Maldives. Those who are interested to study further have to go abroad. The Maldivian government gives financial assistance to bright students for overseas education.

Most of the students are not interested in studies. Jobs are available even for students who do not perform well at the ‘O’ level examination. They work at government offices or tourist resorts. Tourist resorts usually approach schools in nearby islands and interview senior students for upcoming vacancies. They are generally absorbed as waiters and receptionists. Some resorts train them how to speak in proper English. It is illegal to employ anyone below eighteen years of age. To overcome this rule government offices and tourist resorts hire them as trainees. During the training period they are given a stipend.

Schools have two shifts. Morning shift is from 7 am to 1 pm. Afternoon shift is from 1.30 pm to 6.30 pm. Senior students are usually in the morning shift. The juniors come in the afternoon. Since the islands in Maldives are small, students walk home during a short break to have their breakfast or evening snacks. Generally, teachers work only for one shift. Evening classes are held from 7 pm to 8 pm for the senior students. The working week starts on Sunday and ends on Thursday. Friday and Saturday are holidays. Extra classes are sometime conducted on Saturdays.

Students wear a uniform and they are neat and tidy. Some students are very well behaved while others enjoy disturbing the class. There is no physical punishment for students. Students who cause serious problems in the class are usually suspended for a few days. In extreme cases students can be sent out of the school permanently.  I once saw a student wiping his shoes with the question paper during an examination.

After every examination, parent teacher meetings are held to discuss the student’s results. Students accompany their parents during these meetings. Teachers are expected to inform the parents about their children’s behavior in class and also give suggestions on how they can improve their performance. Usually it is the mothers who turn up for these meetings. Fathers are rarely seen, even though the meetings are held in the evenings. Expatriate teachers who are not fluent in the local language are provided interpreters. Once, a local supervisor was sitting with me as an interpreter in Raa Meedhoo. Though I did not fully understand their language, I was aware that he was comparing me with the other teachers. He was asking the students whether I was better than them. Most of the students said I was better. He asked some of them why they felt I was better. I remember one student saying that I gave a better explanation while teaching. After sometime a young girl, who was a top student, came with her mother. When she was asked the same question, she told the supervisor that she will not compare her teachers. I was surprised by her maturity. She was such a good person.

To discourage teachers from taking leave, the school had a scheme to reward teachers who do not take a single leave for a whole year. They were given an amount of money and a certificate. The amount of money would increase for three consecutive years. So teachers who do not take a single leave for three successive years get a good amount of money. After the third year they will have to start all over again.

Schools have a prefect board. There are several prefects who work under a head prefect. They help to maintain discipline and assist in the conduct of student activities. Prefects are selected based on their academic performance and behavior.

When I first arrived in Baa Eydhafushi in 2006, many students did not like physics. They had the option to drop subjects they did not like. In one class only four students were planning to appear for the physics examination. It was the worst class I have ever had, since the other students would remain in the class and discuss other matters during the class. During the next year I was able to get the students to like physics. From then on, almost all the students appeared for the physics examination. In 2008, I would have my best class. Seven students from the class were in the national top ten, when the results were announced.

Many students in Baa Eydhafushi attended private tuition after school hours. Teachers who taught them could make an extra income. The ministry of education sometimes organized seminars and workshops. They try to promote student centered learning with activity based classes. Workshops are also conducted by officials from Cambridge University to keep the teachers updated. Once a year, officials from the ministry of education visit the schools. They observe the classes and give a feedback to the teachers. They also get a feedback from the teachers about the school administration.

Schools are the centre of activity on most islands. Almost every family on the island has someone in the school, either as student or staff. The biggest event on the island is the prize day. It is conducted every year. Students of all classes who perform well in the examinations are given awards. Awards are given for individual subjects and for overall performance. The best outgoing student for ‘O’ level and ‘A’ level are given special awards. A lot of planning and preparation goes into this event. Teachers dress well for the occasion. Men are required to wear a tie. Usually the Minister of Education is the Chief Guest and he distributes the prizes.