World Bank Provides Financial Assistance Of USD 9 Million To Develop Secondary Education In Maldives

The World Bank has facilitated a financial assistance of USD 9 Million to better improve the performance of the secondary education system in the Maldives. As part of the aid, different areas of the educational system will be targeted including schools and the teaching undertaken at different academic institutions.

Even though, Maldives provides widely accessible education at early childhood, primary and lower secondary levels, it is noticed that gender disparity is significantly great at the higher secondary level. Although, results are fairly maintained at an average level throughout the country, major differences in learning outcomes are seen between atolls and within islands of atolls. The World Bank noted that the average marks of pupils studying English, Dhivehi and Mathematics remained in the 50-60 percentile for most students in Grades 4-7.

The Maldives Atoll Education Development Project undertaken by the assistance will support the Government of Maldives to develop economically strategic subjects. This includes English Language, Mathematics, Core Science Subjects as well as different skill education subjects. Through investing in these subjects, more students will be able to qualify and enroll in higher secondary education, thus, bringing improvements to the secondary education system in the Maldives.

The aid will also fund the instalment of ICT equipment and technology in atoll schools as well as building human capital through conducting training programs for teachers, management and principals.