The government has proposed key amendments to the Education Act to ensure that schools hold at least 195 teaching days in every academic year.
Under the bill, submitted on behalf of the government by Huraa MP Dr. Anara Naeem, public holidays and school holidays will not be counted towards the 195 teaching days.
Although next year's academic calendar has been drawn up for schools to open on 201 days, only 163 days are actually available for teaching once various special activities and closures are deducted. The main aim of the amendment is therefore to increase the number of teaching days, ensure students get the full time needed for learning, and raise the standard of education.
The bill also sets January as the month in which the academic year begins, and includes a provision allowing the start of the academic year to be delayed until February if an acceptable reason or unavoidable circumstance arises.
To make things easier for parents working in the tourism sector, the amendment plans to give four weeks of holidays a year, including term breaks, split across three periods. The bill also includes rules on home schooling, which is being newly introduced to the Maldives education system. Under these rules, students will be able to receive their school education at home following a special assessment that takes into account a child's disability or psychological condition.
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