Home schooling a chance for children left behind: Mandey

The amendments proposed by the government to the Education Act will open up opportunities for many children who were previously left behind within the educational system, with legal backing, People's Majlis Funaadhoo constituency member Mohamed Mamdooh (Mandey) stated. The government presented this amendment to the Education Act through Hura constituency member Dr. Anara Naaim. While debating the bill in the Majlis plenary session, Mamdooh said that this is a very important change that must be brought to the country's education sector. He highlighted that providing a framework for children who require special assistance and those who cannot attend regular schools due to various psychological conditions to receive school education at home would bring great peace of mind to many families. Mamdooh stated that until now, there have been significant legal and administrative hurdles in providing education to children who are unable to attend school. He said that even if the parents of such children wanted to, legal barriers closed off this opportunity, leaving many families in a state of great confusion. "With this amendment to the law, children who were previously left behind or excluded from this system are genuinely receiving this opportunity through the law. In my opinion, no student should face any obstacles in obtaining education in the Maldives, no door should remain closed," Mamdooh said. Highlighting the efforts being made by the current government to strengthen the education sector, Mamdooh stated that when President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu took office, numerous administrative issues were identified within the system, such as only one child being registered in a single school. However, he said that this government is resolving such basic issues and bringing positive changes to strengthen the sector. Furthermore, Member Mandey highlighted the work being done in the higher education sector to end the centralization of education in the country. He explained that while there was insufficient infrastructure development in the past to establish campuses of the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) across different islands, the current government is undertaking work at various stages to develop and expand university education infrastructure in different regions of the country. Mamdooh stated that this change proposed to the Education Act is an important reform that should have been implemented long ago. He also expressed hope that a full debate would take place on this bill in the Majlis plenary and committee stages, and that it would receive quick resolution with the support of all members.