Education Minister Dr. Aishath Shiham on Sunday noted the successful implementation of the Ministry’s Special Educational Needs (SEN) component. The Ministry’s inclusive education policy outlines SEN as an integral component of the education system. SEN classes were established in each atoll under the Government’s efforts to provide equal opportunities for all children, while special classes are conducted in a number of schools in Malé.
Dr. Aishath Shiham noted that there still are many challenges to providing equal opportunities for all children, including lack of specialised teachers in the field. “The Government aims to train and employ SEN teachers in every school before the end of the year,” she said.
Under the effort, the Ministry trained 52 SEN teachers in 2015, and another 160 the following year. The Maldives National University (MNU) is currently conducting a special programme in Special Educational Needs, while the module has been included in other programmes conducted at the university, while the National Institute of Education (NIE) also conducts special trainings in the field.