Ministry of Education and Maldives National University (MNU) has launched a program whereby 3000 teachers will be trained to undergraduate level.

Addressing a press conference held today at the Ministry of Education, Minister of Education Dr Aishath Shiham said that last year’s program to ensure that all teachers are qualified at diploma level was successful. She said that President Abdulla Yameen requested the authorities to train teachers at undergraduate level, adding that all permanent teachers were now diploma level teachers.

The Minister said the aim of the program was to improve the services given by the schools and improve the standards of students. She noted that the new curriculum required training primary teachers, adding that 260 primary teachers had taken part in the program. Dr. Shiham said they had focused on training teachers from schools with less teachers and schools without adequate teachers to teach core subjects.

Dr. Shiham said the number of degree level English teachers were comparatively low, as well as Maths, Science, Business. She added that this was a hindrance to achieving good results in those subjects.

Dr. Shiham said the Ministry will provide training opportunities to study Islam and Quran in alliance with Islamic University.

Teachers who participate in this program would be on paid leave. However, MVR 450 would be deducted from their salaries every month, as course fees.