Traditionally education in the Maldives, was limited to the basic literacy skills; namely the recital of the Holy Quran, reading and writing the Dhivehi language and Arabic and the rudiments of arithmetic.There were three types of educational institutions; namely Edhuruge, Maqthab and Madharusa.
The modern system of English medium education was introduced in 1961 and the curriculum reorganized to accommodate the General Certificate of Education, London.
Under this system pre-school, primary and secondary education were made available to a large part of the population.
The first 'A' level school, The Science Education Center was established in 1987 and an Arabic Islamic Education center was established in 1981.
Today, however, primary and secondary education is available throughout the country and primary education is compulsory. As the modern English-medium school system expands, the traditional system is gradually being upgraded.
However, the shortage of qualified teachers is a problem the country faces. Therefore the Ministry of Education has an on-going teacher training program aimed at developing local teachers.
In 1975 the government, with international assistance, started a Vocational Training Center in Male. Today this center functions as the faculty of Engineering and Electrical Studies, of the Maldives College of Higher Education.
A juvenile reformatory was established on the island of Maafushi in 1979. It now provides training courses in electrical and mechanical engineering, carpentry, welding, and tailoring, as well as a limited academic curriculum. The adult literacy rate is 98%, making the Maldives the highest in South Asia and Indian Ocean region. |
