MP Ibrahim submits letter to Minister Shafeeu seeking clarification on various education sector issues
9 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | އާދީއްތަ 08:30Member of Parliament Mohamed Ibrahim has requested clarification on several key educational issues, including the transition of Male' schools to single-session schooling, rising tuition costs, and concerns regarding expatriate teachers providing private tutoring. Additionally, the MP questioned the Minister regarding the status of 'Edhuruvehi' teacher housing flats, the regulation of private school fees, and the potential for utilizing the expertise of distinguished retired educators.
Minister of Education Dr. Ismail Shafeeu at the People’s Majlis. | People's Majlis
Member of Parliament for North Galolhu, Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), has sent a letter to Minister of Education Dr. Ismail Shafeeu seeking clarification on several matters related to the education sector.
In the letter, MP Ibrahim included several inquiries submitted by various parties seeking information regarding the Maldivian education system.
The Member highlighted that education experts believe transitioning schools to a single-shift system would reduce teacher workloads and allow for better organization. This change would also enable teachers to better manage their personal lives and childcare, while increasing the quality time parents and children spend together. Given these numerous benefits, the Member inquired about the timeline for transitioning schools in Malé to a single-shift model.
The Member of Parliament highlighted that private tuition has evolved into a lucrative business. He noted that current rates for tuition exceed MVR 2,500 to MVR 3,000 for just two or three one-hour sessions per week. Emphasizing that this imposes a significant financial burden on parents, the Member sought clarification on the Ministry's efforts to enhance teacher quality or recruit better educators if students are failing to grasp their lessons within the school environment. Furthermore, he questioned whether foreign teachers providing private tuition for additional income constitutes a violation of their employment visas, given that they are specifically authorized to teach only within schools.
In his inquiry, the Member further requested details regarding the current number of vacant units at the Edhuruvehi flats. Additionally, the Member sought clarification on the criteria used for allocating these vacant flats to teachers and requested a specific timeline for the allocation process, should any units be available for distribution.
Furthermore, MP Ibrahim highlighted that Ahmadhiyya School is recognized for its high academic standards and noted that it is a private school exempt from paying land rent to the government. However, the member pointed out that the school charges students substantial fees for their education. The member also noted that the school organizes frequent overseas trips, which he described as being excessively expensive.
The Member of Parliament questioned whether schools are required to obtain approval from the Ministry of Education before taking groups of students on overseas trips. Furthermore, the member inquired about the Ministry's current policies regarding the regulation and oversight of expenses for such travels.
The Member inquired whether the Ministry is considering the formation of a mobile team of high-caliber retired teachers to be dispatched to underperforming schools across the atolls for specific durations to provide necessary support. Furthermore, the Member sought clarification on the Ministry of Education's oversight of programs conducted by sports academies for schoolchildren, requesting details on the monitoring mechanisms and the established procedures governing such activities.
