Ministry of Education has warned the India Out campaign led by the opposition will affect the education of students.
In a press release, the education ministry condemned the political campaign and stated it threatens to undermine the efforts of the education sector. It stated foreign teachers working in the Maldives have expressed their concern over the campaign.
Furthermore, the education ministry stated it is investigating the case of the school in Funadhoo, Shaviyani Atoll, being defaced with India Out campaign slogans. The ministry stated the school wall was defaced after an opposition leader had called on supporters to spray campaign slogans on the walls of houses during the political activities held in Funadhoo last week. It stated the slogans were targeted directly at Indian employees working at the school.
Additionally, the education ministry highlighted that many foreign workers are employed at schools and that the management of the schools has implored the government to guarantee their safety. Therefore, the ministry stated the India Out campaign is a threat to the education sector and will affect the education of students. It noted that foreign teachers are needed as there are currently not enough Maldivians to fill the shortage of teachers and that the opposition campaign might result in foreign teachers leaving the Maldives.
The education ministry strongly condemned the perpetrators who defaced the school wall and their supporters and vowed to take special priority in guaranteeing the safety of foreign teachers.