UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

09/16/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/16/2024 07:40

UNESCO partners with Maldives to review its national ICT in Education Master Plan for Digital Transformation and Lifelong Learning

UNESCO is supporting the Government of the Maldives in their review of Maldives' Information and Communication Technology in Education Master Plan 2 for 2021-2024 and the creation of the next iteration of their national digital learning policy. The small island state of the Maldives faces significant challenges and opportunities. The twin transitions of the digital transformation and the climate crisis frame the changing education and economic landscape of Maldives and the region.

The review consultation process has involved over 1,360 teachers and 79 schools in an online survey and interviews with over 50 stakeholders from 17 government institutions, schools, universities and companies. The review will assess the outcomes of the Master Plan, identify the projects and objectives that remain important to Maldives' national education priorities and synthesize lessons learnt for the design of the next version of the Master Plan.

We can link our current initiatives and the ongoing transformation in the digital era. Taking into consideration the digital innovations, we have to make the necessary changes in the new master plan.

Dr Abdul Latheef Mohamed Minister of State for Education, Government of the Maldives

UNESCO Programme Specialist Jian Xi Teng presented an overview of the review process and the key educational issues which technology should address in an intentional, purposeful and learner-centered approach. He highlighted the issues that should guide the development of the next Master Plan, particularly the articulation of education from a lifelong learning perspective where the entire education system's stakeholders are fully engaged to harness digital learning from pre-primary to employment and workplace upskilling. Most importantly, digital learning interventions should be guided by the key principles of equity, inclusion and safety for all learners.

UNESCO New Delhi

The opening session of the review was hosted by the National Institute for Education on 1 September 2024. To kick-off the review process, Director-General Policy and Planning Division Dr Ibrahim Asif highlighted the extensive activities that the Ministry of Education has undertaken through Telikilaas to ensure education continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The initiative utilized multiple platforms, including Public Service Media's 'YES TV', Google Classroom, YouTube, and 'TED-Ed', to deliver lessons. The Satellite School initiative launched in 2022 enabled access to education to the students in remote island schools. The trained teachers in central islands taught these students via online classes and through in-person facilitators in the classroom to deliver quality education to the students.

UNESCO New Delhi

Dr Ahmed Mohamed, Minister of State for Education, recognized that "one of the main areas [for the Maldives] is digitalization and digital education and I believe that this ICT master plan is going to be one of the blueprints for us to implement our digital education agenda for the coming years."

The use of digital learning in the Maldives offers a lifeline for all citizens to access equitable, inclusive and quality education.

UNESCO's continued support will equip the Maldives with the building blocks to transform its education through the integration of technology in a learner-centered lifelong learning approach for all.

For more information, contact:
Jian Xi Teng: [email protected]