All Teachers Must Master Inclusive Education to Support Every Child, Minister Says

Education Minister Dr. Ismail Shafeeu has announced that proficiency in inclusive education must become a standard requirement for all teachers, moving beyond the specialized scope of Special Educational Needs (SEN) educators. Speaking at the inauguration of the Educator Professional Development Programme for Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Shafeeu emphasized that every educator, regardless of their specialty, must be equipped to teach all students without discrimination. He identified a critical shortage of teachers capable of supporting students with special needs, particularly within schools across the atolls. To bridge this gap, the Ministry has launched an online training platform designed to make professional support accessible to teachers regardless of their geographic location. The initiative seeks to institutionalize a mechanism where educators can continuously upgrade their skills through the National Institute of Education (NIE) platform, which now includes a dedicated course on inclusive education and upcoming leadership programs. Central to this effort is the introduction of seven e-learning modules available via the Edhuru Portal. These self-paced modules cover essential inclusive pedagogies, including Universal Design for Learning, Differentiated Instruction, Assistive Technology, and specific strategies for managing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD. The curriculum also focuses on early identification, intervention, and design thinking to help teachers better navigate diverse classroom dynamics. Educators who successfully complete these modules will be awarded an Inclusive Educator Certificate. The program, implemented by the Department of Inclusive Education, is currently transitioning from a pilot phase—which involved 35 participants from 10 schools—to a nationwide rollout across all Maldivian schools. Minister Dr. Shafeeu urged teachers to embrace these modern skill sets, noting that teacher training remains one of the highest priorities for the education sector. By integrating inclusive pedagogy into the general teaching framework, the Ministry aims to ensure that no student is left behind due to a lack of specialized support in their local school.