First Lady Fazna Ahmed has urged teachers to act as facilitators to empower students to think independently, learn, and design their futures in tomorrow’s workplace. She made the remarks after inaugurating the 6th International Teachers’ Conference in Kulhudhuffushi City.
Addressing the event, First Lady Fazna said that even the competencies needed to succeed in an increasingly globalised, automated, networked, and flexible world could not outweigh some skills and values human beings have. She highlighted the importance of creative thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, effective communication, equity, community participation, care for the environment, integrity, respect, and human rights to thrive in a dynamic work environment. She emphasised the need to encourage students to take an interest in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and the liberal arts and not only confine themselves to seemingly popular business streams.
Furthermore, First Lady Fazna emphasised the importance of ensuring that the students who leave school and go out into society become self-confident and use their own judgment, and understand the feelings of others rather than those who grow up relying solely on the information in books. She also stressed that education should always keep pace with the changes taking place in the world.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education Dr. Aishath Ali said that the information given to students should be expanded to develop their ability to think deeply and broadly to face the fourth industrial revolution. She said that children have become open to more information with the revolutionary changes taking place in the world. She said that information on religious and social issues has become available through the Internet. Therefore, she said that such information and the children's ability to cope with various situations should be provided. She also said that the ability to think critically or think deeply and broadly should be developed.
At the opening ceremony of the conference, First Lady Fazna was presented with a special plaque by the Ministry of Education.