School sessions have resumed for grades 9 and 10 in the Greater Male’ Region.
Ministry of Education had decided to commence school sessions for grades 9 and 10 following extensive deliberations with Health Protection Agency (HPA). The ministry decided to commence school sessions for the two grades following a decrease in COVID-19 cases in the capital.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister of State for Education Dr. Abdulla Rasheed said the decision to reopen schools will be reviewed every two weeks, with respect to the COVID-19 situation. He expressed hope HPA will permit reopening of schools for lower grades in the coming weeks.
On July 1, the administration decided to reopen schools in islands without active COVID-19 cases after keeping it closed for over three months. Students of Grades 9 to 12 in Male' City also commenced studies on July 1 and the administration planned to resume classes for grades 7 to 8 by mid-August. However, due to the increase in COVID-19 cases, the education ministry closed the schools in the Greater Male’ Region again.
In September, the education ministry permitted students of grades 11 and 12 to physically attend the classes to prepare for their final examinations which begin in October.
Schools for the higher grades have been reopened with extensive safety measures in place to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. In this regard, the number of students in a single classroom have been reduced to ensure social distancing, while handwashing and health assessments have been included as a mandatory part of the school sessions. School sessions have also been shortened to 4 hours, with 45 minutes allocated for each subject period.