President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has advised students to begin their day with the Fajr prayer, calling on parents to ensure their children are guided and shaped accordingly.
The President made the remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of the newly inaugurated Shaheed Ali School in Hulhumalé Phase II.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Muizzu said the school is named in honour of the jihad of King Ali, who fought to protect the country’s independence. He said the name reflects efforts to instil patriotism in the hearts of children and youth, in line with the government’s policy of shaping the nation’s future.
The President urged students to learn from the sacrifice and courage of King Ali and to instil patriotism in their hearts by always thinking about what they can do for their country. He said education is meant to develop the mind, stressing that national development requires the strengthening of thought and values alongside physical infrastructure.
President Muizzu said every child is a Muslim firmly rooted in the holy religion of Islam, adding that daily life should be lived in accordance with Islamic teachings. He urged all students to observe the five obligatory prayers, emphasising the importance of praying on time and starting the day with the Fajr prayer.
The President said parents have a responsibility to ensure their children uphold these practices.
“Obey your parents with devotion and follow the guidance of your teachers and school authorities. This will lay a strong foundation for your future that cannot be shaken or broken. Without such a foundation, there may be losses in life. We come to schools to build this foundation firmly,” he said.
The President also highlighted that inclusive education is a key policy of the current administration. He said facilities to support inclusive education have been established at Shaheed Ali School and efforts are underway to expand inclusive education to other parts of the country.
He concluded by urging students to make full use of the opportunities provided by the government and called on all stakeholders to work together to strengthen the education system.