Vice President Faisal Naseem has conducted an eventful one-day trip to Ungoofaaru island in Raa atoll.

During his one-day trip from which he returned on Wednesday night, VP Naseem inaugurated the “Heyvalla” programme initiated by the Ministry of Education at Ungoofaaru School.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, VP Naseem stated that every child must be given the liberty to choose a career, on their own, says Vice President Faisal Naseem.

The Vice President stated that the country’s future depends on building a generation of capable and productive citizens.

Noting the importance of human resource development especially for the Maldives as it has minimal resources, VP Naseem highlighted that the government gives utmost importance to the development of the education sector. As such, VP Naseem stated that a large portion of the state budget was allocated for the sector.

The skills development program will be providing vocational training for students who complete their secondary education, nation-wide and provides internship opportunity as well.

As part of “Heyvalla”, a carpentry and sewing class were launched at the island school on Wednesday as well.

Further, VP Naseem met will Ungoofaaru councilors where he was briefed on major concerns and priorities risen by constituents, going on to share updates of ongoing and planned development project for the island.

As such, councilors stressed on the issue of quality-maintenance in development projects, concerns regarding the school building project, road development and upgrading the island’s mosque alongside issues related to soil erosion and scarcity of water supply.

Highlighting that the main purpose of such regional visits is to understand the situation of communities and fulfil their needs, VP Naseem assured that the government will work with relevant authorities to address the issues at hand.

During the meeting VP Naseem urged councilors to collaborate with the island community to implement the recently ratified Child Protection Act and work towards achieving social harmony.

The Vice President also met councilors from Raa atoll, where they shared ideas for future development projects that may be initiated in the atoll.

Some islands were hasty in initiating development project with the fiscal autonomy provided through the amendments to the Decentralization Act, in turn leading to the surfacing of several issues, said the councilors, who suggested creating a certain protocol under which projects are conducted.

Councilors noted that the ferry system in the atoll requires an upgrade as well as the need to develop human resources.

During his one-day trip, VP Naseem also visited the Ungoofaaru Regional Hospital and inquired about the operations there. He also visited patients and met with the hospital’s management and staff where discussions revolved around improving hospital services.

The hospital management revealed that the facility needs more trained medical staff and raised difficulties due to lack of a proper mechanism to provide medications.

VP Naseem further met with the community with special needs residing in the island and assured them that the government will work to solve the issues they face.

In a separate meeting with the management of Ungoofaaru School, VP Naseem discussed issues being faced and the priorities of the staff. School management highlighted that the biggest challenge they face is implementing single-sessions and lack of adequate resources.

VP Naseem was accompanied by the Minister of Education Aishath Ali, during the trip.