The government is committed to fully support all students striving to achieve career ambitions in their field of choice, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

During his speech at the official awarding ceremony for A-Level Top Achievers of 2019 held at Thaajuddeen School on Sunday, the president noted that the graduates are at an important junction in live, where they will be required to consider and consecutively make a decision on the road they will be taking for their future.

Congratulating the top achievers, President Solih stated that they were the actual guests of honor at the ceremony and added that their educators as well as parents and guardians also deserve praise and appreciation, for enabling the students to fulfill their dreams.

The ceremony saw the president extending appreciation and thanks to all educators and parents for their resilience in helping the younger generations achieve their potential.

The graduates were urged to make “full use” of the higher education and training opportunities extended by the government in order to chase and fulfill their dreams, whether it is in the Maldives, or abroad.

He also advised the students to align their goals with the fast pace of the current world and apply modern technology and science for innovation and “out-of-the-box thinking” to pave opportunities and develop themselves in professions that hold their interest

The graduates were further urged to make use of the opportunities presented in the modern world in creative and innovative ways, rather than chasing a specific job immediately after graduation.

Describing innovation as a significant pillar in swift economic and national development, President Solih urged parents and educators to inspire creativity and innovative thinking in their children.

Shedding light on the central role of teachers in the nation, Solih highlighted that Maldives currently has 9,119 teachers of whom 6,498 are permanent Maldivian teachers, 1,730 are expatriate teachers and 891 are temporary teachers.

With this being said, the president stressed that there has been increasing numbers in temporary teachers and that lack of interest in the field of teaching could lead to students not receiving the ideal education they need to achieve their individual dreams.

In this regard, the president revealed the government’s aim to conduct research into the state of the education sector and teaching vocation to determine the reason for the scarcity of permanent Maldivian educators, going on to urge more Maldivians to join the cause as younger generations need Maldivian teachers who can educate them with the true teachings of Islam and create future generations of “innovative”, “empathetic” and “patriotic” individuals.

The educators and parents nationwide have been urged to support the government to shape the younger generations into innovative and creative leaders who can overcome the challenges of the 21st Century.

The ceremony saw President Solih, as well as First Lady Fazna Ahmed and Vice President Faisal Naseem conferring certificates and awards to the top achievers.