MDP MPs warn homeschooling bill could increase number of children out of school

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MPs have warned that introducing homeschooling without adequate regulation could increase the number of children who do not attend school in the Maldives.

The concerns were raised during Wednesday's parliamentary debate on a government-sponsored amendment to the Education Act, which seeks to introduce homeschooling for children who face difficulties attending school because of disabilities or psychological conditions.

The bill, submitted to Parliament on Sunday, would allow eligible children to receive education at home based on an assessment of their disability or psychological condition.

While opposition MPs acknowledged the need to provide alternative education arrangements for children unable to attend school, they questioned whether the proposed legislation contained sufficient safeguards to protect their education.

Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem said legislation introducing homeschooling should be developed following consultations with relevant stakeholders and an assessment of its potential consequences.

He claimed to have received information indicating that the bill had been drafted by the Vice President's Office without consulting the Minister of Education.

"The government must provide homeschooling opportunities for students who are unable to attend school. However, there are risks involved," Meekail said.

He alleged that some parents who currently keep their children out of school hold extremist views, a concern he said was known to government institutions.

"The regulatory system and the framework for monitoring this arrangement under the bill are very weak," he said.

Meekail said the proposed legislation assigned responsibility for monitoring homeschooling on individual islands to island councils.

However, he questioned whether councils would have the resources and authority to carry out that responsibility.

He accused the government of reducing the powers and resources available to councils, including cuts to block grants.

"This raises the question of whether the regulatory system can actually function, or whether we are once again introducing something without proper preparation," he said.

Meekail called on the government to withdraw the bill, consult the Minister of Education and resubmit it after further review.

Thoddoo MP Hussain Sameer also raised concerns about the proposed amendment, arguing that it had been submitted without sufficient research or consultation with relevant institutions.

He said more than 5,000 children in the Maldives were currently out of school, describing the situation as a matter requiring attention.

Sameer also claimed that more than 13,000 young people aged between 19 and 25 were unemployed.

He warned that introducing homeschooling without adequate safeguards could reduce the importance placed on formal education and further increase the number of children outside the school system.

Sameer called for the bill to be strengthened during the committee stage or withdrawn and resubmitted after consultations with education professionals.

Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyaad raised concerns about a provision requiring families to demonstrate financial capacity to provide homeschooling.

He said the proposed arrangement was intended for children requiring additional support and questioned whether imposing financial requirements on their families was appropriate.

Ziyaad noted that parents and guardians of children with disabilities already faced additional expenses.

He argued that requiring families to bear the costs of homeschooling could prevent those with limited financial resources from accessing the programme.

MPs from the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) defended the bill, saying it had been prepared following consultations and research involving relevant stakeholders.

They also said the legislation contained provisions for monitoring homeschooling arrangements and that further changes could be made during the committee review.

Funadhoo MP Mohamed Mamdhooh said the government was working to expand access to education beyond the existing centralised system.

He said the proposed amendment would help provide educational opportunities for children who had been unable to participate in the conventional school system.

Mamdhooh argued that the legislation would make education more accessible to children who had previously been left out.

The bill remains under parliamentary consideration, with opposition MPs seeking stronger safeguards, further consultation and changes to its regulatory provisions before it is passed.