Addressing Learning Disabilities in the Maldives through Capacity Building for Inclusive Education
The Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (COL-CEMCA), in collaboration with the Maldives' Ministry of Education and ChangeInkk Foundation, India, organised a webinar titled "Building Capacities of Policymakers and Teachers on Inclusion of Children with Learning Disabilities in Schools in the Maldives." The event aimed to enhance awareness, reduce stigma, and promote support for students with dyslexia and specific learning disabilities (SLDs) to create a more inclusive education system.
Welcoming the esteemed panellists and participants, Dr B. Shadrach, Director, COL-CEMCA, congratulated the Government of the Maldives for establishing the Department of Inclusive Education, reflecting its commitment to persons with disabilities. He informed that COL-CEMCA and ChangeInkk Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Government of India, have launched video tutorials to train educators in supporting learners with SLDs. These can be adapted by the Maldives as per their requirements. He concluded by emphasising that mainstreaming SLD in education requires the creation of necessary systems at the micro, meso and macro levels.
Dr Fathmath Nishan, Deputy Minister of Education, Republic of Maldives, delivering the keynote address, recounted her personal experience in inclusive education as a trainer. Since the teachers often struggle to identify students with learning disabilities, the Maldives’ Inclusive Education Policy describes them very comprehensively, and the government is investing substantially in training teachers. She commended the webinar as another step in this direction, and acknowledged COL’s support in strengthening the ODL system in the Maldives as well.
Ms Adhila Rushdhee, Senior Inclusive Education Analyst from Department of Inclusive Education, Ministry of Education, expounded the policies and strategies initiated by the Department to expand access and equity in education since 2019. They are training a cadre of special educators to support students with SLDs, in addition to capacitating mainstream teachers. She conceded that the webinar would further bolster the government initiatives.
The webinar was complemented by insightful presentations on SLDs by Ms Noopur Jhunjhunwala, Trustee of ChangeInkk Foundation, India, and Dr Geet Oberoi, Resource Person from India. Ms Jhunjhunwala underscored the critical importance of early identification and assistance for students with various forms of SLD. She called upon the policymakers and educators to incorporate assistive technology and targeted training to more effectively support students, equipping them with the skills to excel in educational pursuits. Dr Geet Oberoi emphasised the pivotal role of teachers in identifying SLDs, noting that these conditions are neurological in nature and not linked to intelligence. She underscored the significance of early diagnosis and timely intervention in schools to mainstream students with SLD.
The webinar concluded with a vote of thanks from Deputy Minister Ms Aminath Nazima, commending the collective commitment to supporting children with learning disabilities. It was ably facilitated by Ms Poornitha Nambiar from ChangeInkk Foundation.
