The Ministry of Education has initiated the process of training local teachers to teach all subjects in Arabic to the students of Arabiyya School.
As the only Arabic-medium school in the country, the primary grades at Arabiyya currently have certain subjects taught by foreign teachers, with secondary grades having a higher ratio of foreign instructors to local ones.
In an interview with PSM last night, Education Minister Dr Ismail Shafeeu said he would change the current system in Arabiyya.
Minister Shafeeu expressed his intention to reform the existing system at Arabiyya, emphasizing a comprehensive plan developed in collaboration with various organizations, countries affiliated with the Maldives, and international agencies. These efforts are aimed at training local teachers capable of teaching the subjects in the Arabic language with assistance from international partners.
"As you know, we are currently teaching English in many schools with local teachers. Similarly, we are planning a special program with the assistance of foreign countries associated with us to train locals who can teach business subjects in Arabic, in addition to chemistry, physics, and various science subjects," stated Education Minister Dr Ismail Shafeeu.
The minister is optimistic about training an ample number of individuals over the next 3-4 years to teach various subjects in Arabic.
Dr. Ismail expressed, "It presents a significant opportunity to manage Arabiyya effectively and enhance Arabic education throughout the country."
During the election campaign, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu pledged to modernize Arabiyya School, transforming it into a comprehensive Arabic education center with the construction of a new building in a spacious location.
"In the president's manifesto, he specifically highlighted Arabiyya, expressing his commitment to address the challenges facing the country, especially considering that Arabiyya is the sole Arabic-medium school in the Maldives," emphasized the minister.
The current government has made the decision to build a new structure for Arabiyya School in Block no. 381, a large plot of land where, in the past, the city's waste disposal grounds were. The planning phase for the new Arabiyya School building is currently in progress.
"Our goal is to commence the construction of Arabiyya within the first 100 days of the government. Given the current pace of our efforts, we are confident in achieving this," remarked Dr. Ismail.
On September 29, 2022, the preceding administration under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih transferred the new Arabiya School building to Amin Construction Company.
Following a competitive bidding process, the school was granted on a design and build contract with a stipulated completion period of 420 days. Unfortunately, as the contract elapsed, only the demolition of the existing structures on the land was done.
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