Opposition slams govt for new school year ill-preparation
There are also complaints that education sector employees are taken to task if their opinions and concerns on the matter are expressed on social media.
By
Shahudha Mohamed
The opposition Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) has expressed concern that the government has not prepared enough for the new academic year.
Highlighting the concerns over the ill-preparation of the ministry on the first day of school which began Sunday, MDP said in a press release that the ministry was "trying to cover up their ill-preparation by making excuses and shortening the time students have to attend school in the first week".
The MDP added:
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Many parents are complaining about the lack of textbooks even when the schools opened for the new academic year this Sunday
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Many principals and teachers are complaining about the lack of teachers in schools
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There are also complaints that an employee is taken to task if their opinions and concerns on the matter are expressed on social media
The MDP also expressed concern that students are already missing out a lot from their syllabuses due to the constant unplanned changes made to the academic calendar in 2023/2024.
"We are also deeply concerned that the shortening of teaching time in the first week under the pretext of rainfall or weather is increasing the losses unto students," the party said in its statement.
The MDP said it wanted learners and teachers to be saved from the serious harm that could be caused by 'sudden decisions taken without any planning'.
"Therefore, this party urges the Ministry of Education to make decisions in the new academic year that are stable, beneficial to the education sector and do not harm the students”, MDP said.
