Education Minister Dr. Ismail Shafeeu has committed to restoring the respect and dignity of teachers in Maldivian society, addressing significant concerns about the current state of the education system. In an interview with state media yesterday, Minister Shafeeu highlighted the urgent need to improve the psychological well-being of teachers and outlined plans to elevate their status.
Minister Shafeeu noted that the respect for teachers has been severely eroded over the years. He pointed out that more than twenty school principals had been transferred improperly, and about 300 teachers had been punished outside the established rules. He emphasized that the education system must provide support and comfort to teachers to restore their dignity.
"Teachers must be comforted by the system. Then they will work to show their sector as a valuable, respectable sector," Minister Shafeeu stated.
The Minister acknowledged the sacrifices teachers make, often at the expense of their family time and personal well-being. He argued that such conditions are unsustainable and deter people from entering the education sector, regardless of salary incentives.
"If that is the case, people will be less interested in serving the education sector no matter how high the salary is paid," he said.
Minister Shafeeu also revealed a concerning statistic: only 48 local teachers joined the education sector at the start of the new academic year. This low number underscores the critical need for systemic reforms to attract and retain educators.
Minister Shafeeu noted that the respect for teachers has been severely eroded over the years. He pointed out that more than twenty school principals had been transferred improperly, and about 300 teachers had been punished outside the established rules. He emphasized that the education system must provide support and comfort to teachers to restore their dignity.
"Teachers must be comforted by the system. Then they will work to show their sector as a valuable, respectable sector," Minister Shafeeu stated.
The Minister acknowledged the sacrifices teachers make, often at the expense of their family time and personal well-being. He argued that such conditions are unsustainable and deter people from entering the education sector, regardless of salary incentives.
"If that is the case, people will be less interested in serving the education sector no matter how high the salary is paid," he said.
Minister Shafeeu also revealed a concerning statistic: only 48 local teachers joined the education sector at the start of the new academic year. This low number underscores the critical need for systemic reforms to attract and retain educators.
