Asia's first Finland International School appoints renowned educator Dr. Eija Valanne, as the school's first Principal.
The Finland International School Maldives is set to open in Dream Campus, Malé for 2019 and will cater for Grades 1-5.
Educonnect, which will oversee the operation of the Finland International School Maldives, highlighted that whilst seats for Grade 1, 3 and 4 are already full, the few remaining seats in Grades 2 and 5 are set to open doors to the public within September.
Educonnect noted that as grades are currently full due to enthusiastic public response, the institution would offer the opportunity for interested parents to enter a waiting list.
In a special message dedicated to the parents of Finland International School, Maldives Dr Eija said that, "Our goal is to witness the joy of learning. This is supported by child-centered approach, Finnish curriculum implementation with cross-curricular themes and team-teaching methods. Parents are essential partners in this process.”
Dr Eija holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Education) and has over 23 years of experience in the education field, working as a principal in Finland as well as abroad.
She has worked in Al Raqiah School in Abu Dhabi for over 6 years and was also the former Principal of Pärinharju School in Rovaniemi, Finland for over 8 years. She also worked as an Administrative Principal of Teaching Training School at the University of Lapland in Finland for over 12 years.
Thanks to her experience in the Middle East, she has significant insight on working and teaching in an Islamic country as well.
In addition to her role as a school leader, she has also contributed to academia. Her research on adopting and implementing Finnish education approach outside of Finland in Middle East has also been published in the International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences.
"We are honoured to be working with a principal of this calibre who has trained, lead and worked in Finland for many years. This will be a very wonderful learning experience for us all,” said Educonnect's Managing Director and Executive Director of Islanders Education, Ahmed Adhly Rasheed.
Having dedicated a 13- year background in specializing and working with children with hearing disabilities and dysphasia (speech and communication disabilities), Dr. Eija also possesses a Masters Major in Education Sciences and Minors in Special Education, Educational Administration and Psychology and a Diploma of Special Teacher Studies Major in Specialization studies for teaching deaf and dysphasic children.
According to Adhly, Dr.Eija will arrive in Maldives mid-October to ensure that all the preparations are going well for the school opening in 2019.
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