DoIE holds inauguration ceremony of the establishment of Inclusive Education Support Units in 2 schools.

The India Grant Assistance Scheme provided a total of MVR 1, 574, 920.

The ceremony held online was graced by the presence of Minister of Education Dr Aishath Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid, Indian High Commissioner Shri Sunjay Sudhir, Member of Parliament - South Fuvahmulah Constituency, Mohamed Mumthaz, Member of Parliament – South Kulhudhufushi Constituency, and senior officials of the department.

Speaking in the ceremony Minister of Education Dr Aishath Ali noted that, both Hafiz Ahmed School and Afeefuddin School are two schools with most students with complex learning profiles study, in addition to Male’ City. The Minister noted that the units are extremely important to the cities. She also mentioned the units are an important step towards schools that support inclusive education culture. In addition to that, Minister Aishath Ali also thanked the Government of India for their generous contribution.

Speaking in the ceremony, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid said that, these units are extremely important as it will not only benefit the students but will also benefit the society as well. Minister Shahid also mentioned that the project demonstrates the vitality of the India-Maldives relation.

Speaking in the ceremony Indian High Commissioner Shri Sunjay Sudhir said that, he hopes that the units will be used to help students blossom in their own ways.

 The India grant project to establish and overhaul Inclusive Support Units in Fuvahmulah City and Kulhudhufushi City of the Maldives was commenced in late 2019. The main aim of the project was to upgrade the Inclusive Support Unit infrastructure, provide necessary resources to increase students’ engagement in learning, and to build special education teachers' capacity in both the cities

The Government of India approved the project proposal on the 4th of November 2019. The Ministry of Education, Maldives, projected to start the project in January 2020 and finish it within a year. However, the COVID-19 outbreak created major setbacks.
The construction work of Afeefuddin School’s Inclusive Support Unit was completed on the 21st of February 2021. The renovation work of Haafiz Ahmed School’s Inclusive Support Unit commenced was completed on the 14th of April 2021.

The training segment of the grant commenced on the 31st of August 2020. A total of 35 teachers from both schools took part in the Inclusive Strategies for Autism Spectrum conducted by the Queensland University of Technology, Australia.