Malé, Maldives – Education Ministry, today, released a statement denying any interest in bringing foreign teachers to teach Islamic Studies in the Maldives.
The statement by the Education Ministry states that following the May 6 terror attack targeting Speaker of the Maldives Parliament Mohamed Nasheed the Ministry discussed various recommendations for the education sector with the May 6 parliamentary committee on 26 August 2021.
One of the recommendations discussed was to teach the Islamic Studies subject, which has been taught in Dhivehi Language, to be changed to the English Language. However, Education Ministry said that since the Islamic Studies syllabus has been always taught in the official language of Maldives Dhivehi and with teachers also trained for the subject in Dhivehi, the Ministry decided not to pursue this recommendation.
The [Education] Ministry has no interest in bringing foreign teachers to teach Islam.
Education Ministry Statement
The statement comes after the May 6 Committee Chair and Majlis representative for Vilufushi constituency, Hassan Afeef alleged that the Education Minister Aishath Ali stated that the existing Islamic Studies textbooks contained hate inducing content and is reviewing the curriculum.
MP Afeef also added that the Education Ministry is exploring options to bring in foreign teachers to teach Islamic Studied.
While the Education Ministry denied bringing in foreign teachers, the Ministry did not deny MP Afeef’s statement that the current Islamic Studies subject included hate inducing content.
