- Large percentage of the project is complete
- The target will be achieved next year
- This is a regional accomplishment
Education Minister Dr Aishath Shiham Tuesday announced that Maldives will become the first country in this region to provide free preschool education.
At the ceremony held last night to celebrate the introduction of free preschools all over the country, the Minister said that providing a year of preschool was on the development road map by 2030. The Minister further said that two years of preschool will be guaranteed in the Maldives even before the start of the plan for the next fifteen years.
Before the start of the academic year next year, the Minister states that all the government run preschools and preschools designated by the government will be completely free. She also said that preschools were free this year as well in every island other than the capital Male' and Addu City.
"The government began free preschool education at the start of 2016 in every island of the Maldives except Male' and Addu City. The young students will be able to enjoy their education, befriend fellow students and play sets have been arranged outside the class for them to play in. The class setups have been done and all the facilities at the schools will be suitable for the students age," minister said.
The Minister said that both parents and students have been satisfied and that with the start of the new year, schools in Addu City, Hulhumale' and Villimale' will be providing preschool education for free as well. She also said that certain government designated private schools and a few other schools will be providing free preschool education as well, for students who are 4 or 5 years old.
The Minister further said that all the teachers who teach at these schools will be educated to degree level standards and that they will be specially trained in the care of children.
