Segregating children with special needs instead of providing inclusive education is an outdated practice of the past: Ihusan
30 އޮކްޓޯބަރު 2026 | ހުކުރު 11:23Former Deputy Minister Ihusan has expressed concern over the exclusion of children with disabilities from the mainstream education system, describing it as a regressive step. He warned that the bill currently before Parliament could undermine the principles of inclusive education and steer the national curriculum in the wrong direction.
Former Deputy Minister of Education Mohamed Ihusan speaks at a rally held at the MDP headquarters. | RaajjeMV
Former Deputy Minister of Education Mohamed Ihusan has stated that segregating children with disabilities instead of providing inclusive education is an outdated practice, asserting that the bill currently before Parliament is a regressive step that isolates these children from the education system.
Speaking at a rally held at the MDP headquarters, Ihusan stated that the modern global standard for education is an inclusive system where children with special needs receive the necessary support within mainstream classrooms. He further emphasized that the state is mandated to ensure that lessons are adapted to suit these students and that all required resources and facilities are adequately established.
The bill introduced today is a regressive step that moves us away from inclusive education and back toward segregation. This cannot be allowed to happen. We will absolutely not let this proceed.Mohamed Ihusan
Ihusan stated that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was the first to recognize the need for support and care for children with special needs, taking the initial lead to integrate them into the mainstream education system. He further noted that despite the current changes, a future MDP administration would re-establish and uphold the principles of inclusive education.
Furthermore, Ihusan alleged that since the current administration took office, there have been clandestine efforts to realign the national educational curriculum with a specific agenda. He asserted that the bill submitted to Parliament is a move to grant legal authority for this purpose, and warned that once enacted, the Ministry of Education would expedite the process of overhauling the curriculum as part of its mandate.
Ihusan expressed grave concern, accusing the current administration of deliberately working to dismantle the education system. He further warned that this bill could potentially pave the way for obstructing girls' access to schooling in the future.
