Author: Ahmed Naish

Almost 8,000 undocumented workers deported, says defence minister

The department of immigration has deported or repatriated 7,962 undocumented foreign workers so far this year under a voluntary departure programme, Minister of Defence Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim has revealed.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Nazim claimed that the benefit of the deportations to the domestic economy was worth US$24 million a year.

“122 companies and private parties have been fined for hiring foreigners illegally and they have been prohibited from bringing in further [foreign workers],” he added.

Additionally, 21 places were raided in an operation to deport illegal migrant workers, he continued, which took place in Addu City, Laamu Atoll, Kaafu Atoll, and Alif Alif Atoll.

A fine of MVR50,000 (US$3,242) is specified in the law for hiring illegal migrant workers and deported foreigners are not allowed to return to the Maldives for ten years.

The immigration department deported 6,400 undocumented workers between January and July this year.

On April 24, Nazim announced a special operation to deport undocumented workers, promising that “the whole of Malé will be cleaned [of migrant workers]” within three weeks.

In December 2012, former President Dr Mohamed Waheed transferred the immigration department from the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Ministry of Defence and National Security.

Of the 7,962 deported workers, Nazim noted that 6,590 voluntarily requested repatriation, 69 left due to poor health, and 890 were deported for violations of the law.

A further 407 workers were deported due to various problems, he added.

Census results and human trafficking

Asked if the preliminary results of the national census conducted in September – which found the expatriate population to be 58,683 – were accurate, Nazim said the figure did not match the government’s official records.

Nazim suggested that census takers were unable to gather accurate information due to either lack of cooperation from expatriates or failure to locate foreign workers.

“Looking at our total statistics, our records show that there are 120,000 foreigners,” he revealed, adding that the estimate for illegal or undocumented workers was 30,000.

Some members of the public were hiding undocumented workers, he continued, urging the public to work with the government to tackle the issue.

In a recent visit to Raa atoll, Nazim said island councils in three islands informed him that there were about 150 undocumented workers hidden from the authorities by their employees.

“So this can be done if councils, islanders, and the government work together to deport foreigners,” he said.

Nazim also revealed that MVR181 million (US$11 million) had been collected as work visa fees by the end of October, MVR198 million (US$12.8 million ) as security deposits, and MVR30 million (US$1.9 million) was given out for deposit refunds.

A secondary passport verification system was meanwhile established at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) and the foreign employment section of the immigration system with the help of the International Organisation for Migration.

In addition to the repatriated or deported foreign workers, Nazim said 1,172 individuals were denied entry to the country – including 82 individuals with invalid passports, 503 individuals without employment approval, and 582 individuals turned away for other reasons.

While 3,102 individuals were granted business visas, Nazim said 770 individuals were granted special visas.

A MoU has been signed between the immigration department and National Centre for Information Technology (NCIT) to strengthen the expatriate online system.

Nazim also said efforts were underway to locate expatriates involved in human trafficking who were based in the capital Malé, including Indians, Sri Lankans, and Bangladeshis.

However, attempts to use the Maldives as a transit point or “gateway” for human trafficking – including sending foreign fighters to Syria – have proven unsuccessful due to the new passport verification system, he said.

“However, individuals traveling to the Maldives on fake or fraud visas were stopped and sent back,” he said.

In four cases of human trafficking investigated this year, Nazim said five victims were identified and 77 staff were trained to investigate such cases.

In June this year, the Maldives was removed the US State Department Tier 2 watch list for human trafficking and avoided relegation to Tier 3 along with the accompanying sanctions.

The 2014 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report noted that an unknown number of the approximately 200,000 expatriate workers in the country experienced forced labour.

Among the advice given in the report was the development of guidelines for public officials to “proactively identify” victims, noting that thousands of migrants have been deported recently without adequate screening for indications of trafficking.

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Government submits revenue raising bills to parliament

The government has submitted two bills to parliament for introducing a green tax and revising import duties to raise additional revenue anticipated in the 2015 state budget.

The President’s Office explained in a press statement on Thursday (November 13) that the government submitted amendments to the Tourism Act to introduce a US$6 per day ‘green tax’ on tourist establishments with the exception of guesthouses.

“The government decided to introduce this tax, as the Maldives is a tourist destination and the lack of a safe waste management system is adversely affecting tourism industry, to pave the way for the establishment of an adequate environment-friendly waste management system, to make Maldivian tourism an environment-friendly industry, and to provide an environment-friendly service to tourists,” the statement read.

The amendment also specifies the powers of the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority to collect the green tax, the statement added.

Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb told the press last week that the green tax would be levied in November 2015 – 11 months after the abolition of the bed-tax, which will continue to be charged at US$8 a night until the end of this month.

Adeeb insisted that the green tax would not hinder the demand from tourists – especially from Europe – who would become “champions” of the Maldivian environment by paying the tax.

While some resort owners have suggested that the combination of the bed tax with the rise in Tourism Goods and Services Tax (T-GST) to 12 percent this month has affected bookings, Adeeb vowed there would be no further hikes in T-GST during the current administration’s five-year term.

Opposition MPs have meanwhile sought assurances from the government that proceeds from the green tax would be used to finance environmentally sustainable infrastructure projects such as sewerage and coastal protection in the islands and not for the state’s wage bill.

In his budget speech to parliament earlier this month, Finance Minister Abdulla Jihad noted that MVR3.4 billion (US$220million) was forecast from new revenue raising measures, which also includes acquisition fees from investments to special economic zones (SEZs), income from the home ownership programme, and leasing 10 islands for resort development.

Import duties

The government also submitted amendments to the Export-Import Act to revise customs duties or tariffs to reflect “changes in the price of import goods in the global market,” the President’s Office stated.

The latest monthly economic review from the Maldives Monetary Authority noted that “the International Monetary Fund (IMF) commodity price index fell in both monthly and annual terms in September 2014, by 4 percent and 9 percent, respectively.”

“The monthly and annual decline in commodity prices was attributed to the decline in petroleum, metal and food prices. The price of crude oil fell by 4 percent in monthly terms and by 12 percent in annual terms and stood at US$95.9 per barrel at the end of September 2014,” the review stated.

In April, parliament approved import duty hikes for a range of goods proposed by the government as a revenue raising measure.

Jihad meanwhile told the budget committee last week that the government was considering increasing custom duties “mostly for luxury items, or items that are harmful to the environment or health.”

The cabinet’s economic council has not yet finalised the import duty or tariff revisions, Jihad noted, though he did reveal that the items under consideration include tobacco, perfume, and vehicles.

Tariffs for tobacco would be raised from the current 150 percent to 300 percent, 100 to 150 percent for cars, and zero to 10 percent for perfume, Jihad said.

Asked if higher custom duties would lead to higher prices, Jihad said the impact on the inflation rate would have to be studied for a proper assessment, which would take time to complete.

At parliament’s budget debate last week, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Eva Abdulla criticised the proposed import duty hikes, noting that the government has decided to waive tariffs for construction material or capital goods for new resorts with development stalled due to financial constraints.

The burden of higher prices of goods due to higher custom duties would be borne by the public, she argued.

Eva noted that Jihad told the budget committee of plans to increase import duty for foodstuff and petroleum products.

“Our question is why shouldn’t an income tax be introduced? When MDP submitted an income tax bill to parliament it wasn’t passed. But we are telling this government to introduce an tax and [tax] the affluent as well,” she said.

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Police officer arrested in drug bust

A police officer was among nine people arrested in a drug bust on the island of Hinnavaru in Lhaviyani atoll on Tuesday (November 11).

Briefing the press yesterday, Chief Inspector Ahmed Shifan, head of the Drug Enforcement Department (DED), revealed that all the suspects in custody were Maldivian men above 18 years of age from Hinnavaru.

“A police officer is under arrest but I cannot provide further information at the time,” he said.

The Hinnavaru magistrate court has extended the remand detention of the suspects for eight days, he said.

Shifan said 16 bullet-sized rubber packets of “a substance suspected to be drugs,” 241 bullet-sized rubber packets of heroin, and 145 packets of hash oil were seized during an operation conducted by the DED in Hinnavaru.

The DED searched 13 homes in the island and questioned a number of people, he said, noting that the operation was still ongoing in Lhaviyani atoll.

Similar operations would take place in other atolls in the coming days, the chief inspector said.

The operation involved 36 police officers and was conducted with the assistance of the Special Operations (SO) department, the investigative support department, and operational support department.

A police officer was also arrested in a 24kg drug haul in March, which police said was “the largest amount of drugs seized in a police operation conducted in the Maldives so far.”

Police later revealed that the officer had used a local money transfer service to send money to an Iranian agent.

Local media reported in August that the officer was among three Maldivian suspects released from custody after the Prosecutor General’s Office decided there was insufficient evidence for prosecution.

Gangs and police

Speaking at a conference of police division and atoll commanders on October 22, Home Minister Umar Naseer said criminal gangs in the atolls were attempting to infiltrate the police by forging personal relationships with police officers stationed in their islands.

Gangs attempt to “penetrate” police stations in order to gather information to carry out criminal activities, he said.

Naseer said complaints have been received from various islands about offenders quickly learning of a crime being reported to the police.

Information was thus “leaking” from within the police, he added.

“So some people hesitate to share information with some police stations. This is very regrettable,” he said.

Commanders in the atolls should ensure that police officers do not fraternise with known criminals or suspected drug dealers, Naseer urged.

Naseer said he had received complaints from various islands about police officers spending time with suspected drug dealers when they were off-duty.

Commanders should be aware of who their subordinate officers “go to coffees or picnics with,” he advised, which should be controlled to ensure the “credibility of the police force on that island or atoll.”

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State budget for 2015 will be balanced, insists President Yameen

The record MVR24.3 billion (US$1.5 billion) state budget for 2015 submitted for parliamentary approval last week is a balanced budget, President Abdulla Yameen insisted yesterday in his Republic Day speech.

Referring to the Progressive Party of Maldives’ (PPM) campaign pledge to balance the budget in two to three years, President Yameen said the 2015 budget has a “primary balance surplus.”

“Looking at the figures of the budget, that is not a deficit we cannot plug. The deficit is a small figure,” he said.

The projected fiscal deficit in 2015 is MVR1.3 billion (US$84 million) or 2.5 percent of GDP.

The deficit was not for the state’s expenditure in 2015, Yameen continued, but for arrears or unpaid bills from recent years.

“So in my book, the 2015 budget is a balanced budget,” he said.

In his budget speech to parliament last week, Finance Minister Abdulla Jihad revealed that the forecast for recurrent expenditure in 2015 is MVR15.8 billion (US$1 billion) while the forecast for government income or revenue is MVR21.5 billion (US$1.3 billion).

The projected revenue includes MVR3.4 billion (US$220 million) anticipated from proposed new revenue raising measures.

A balanced budget would allow the government to “consolidate the economy,” maintain the value of the rufiyaa, and repay foreign and domestic debt, Yameen said.

After balancing the budget, Yameen said the government should work toward achieving a surplus.

The public expected waste management systems, water and sewerage, harbours, and land reclamation, he continued, noting that the MVR6.3 billion (US$408 million) Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) in the 2015 budget – 24 percent of the budget – was unprecedented and double that of 2014.

Yameen observed that the PSIP budget was around MVR3 billion (US$194 million) in the past.

While carrying out infrastructure projects in all 188 inhabited islands in one year would not be possible, Yameen said the budget was formulated after prioritising developmental projects.

Moreover, the government would seek foreign aid, soft loans, and concessional loan assistance to finance infrastructure projects, he added.

The budget also includes welfare or social security benefits for the needy, the elderly, and persons with special needs, he noted.

The MVR5,000 (US$324) a month allowance or old age pension would be provided in 2015 as well, Yameen said, while subsidies for food and electricity would be targeted to the needy.

Achievements

On the government’s achievements during its first year in office, Yameen said the economy was improving as a result of the government’s policies.

The acute dollar shortage of recent years has been alleviated, he added, while the ‘unlimited’ Aasandha insurance scheme was introduced to assist persons with chronic illnesses.

While there were only nine pharmacies in the atolls last year, the State Trading Organisation has opened 71 pharmacies in various islands this year.

Moreover, sea ambulance service was provided to six atolls, he continued, and a 50-bed multi-speciality hospital would be built in Hulhumalé within three years.

Efforts were underway to install generators across the country to ensure reliable round the clock electricity in all inhabited islands, he said.

The Special Economic Zone Act would meanwhile facilitate attracting foreign investment, Yameen said.

The government has also decided to provide sovereign guarantee for loans to develop new resorts, he continued, while the guest house island policy would benefit small and medium sized enterprises.

The government’s plan to create 94,000 new jobs as pledged during last year’s presidential campaign was through economic diversification or development and not through the civil service, he noted.

On the pledge to develop a ‘youth city’ in Hulhumalé, President Yameen said the second phase of the island’s development through further land reclamation would begin during November.

Work has also begun on introducing an insurance scheme and providing subsidies to fishermen and farmers, he added.

The implementation of the new national education curriculum in 2015 would meanwhile bring “revolutionary changes” to the education sector, Yameen said.

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President Yameen slams “Western colonial powers,” declares foreign policy shift to East

The European Union (EU) imposed restrictions on Maldivian export of canned tuna for refusing to change or abandon Islamic principles, President Abdulla Yameen claimed today, declaring a foreign policy shift to the East.

In his address to the nation on the occasion of Republic Day, President Yameen said economic cooperation with China does not involve the same challenges to remaining an Islamic state posed by “Western colonial powers”.

“Participating in business with China does not involve any such compulsion for us,” Yameen said at a ceremony at the Dharubaaruge convention centre this morning.

Yameen referred to the EU’s refusal to extend the duty-free status of imported fish from the Maldives following the country’s failure to comply with international conventions concerning freedom of religion.

Until January 2014, fish exports to the EU – the single largest export partner by value – were duty-free under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) programme, a non-reciprocal trade agreement extended to developing countries.

Last year, the government’s application for a year’s extension under the ‘GSP Plus’ program was declined as it had not ratified all 27 required international conventions. The Maldives holds reservations concerning the freedom of religion component of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Former Fisheries Minister Shafeeu told Minivan News in November 2013 that the Maldives would lose its competitive advantage over the larger fishing fleets of nearby Sri Lanka and Thailand with a 14-20 tariff on fish imports, and reduce profits to “a marginal value”.

President Yameen said there was “no way forward” for the country regarding the issue.

“The government’s thinking is changing towards the East,” he said.

Under the Maldivian Constitution, all citizens are required to be Sunni Muslim and the practice of other religions as well as places of worship are prohibited. Customs authorities forbid the import of religious items and scan the baggage of tourists arriving at the airport.

Former Minister Shafeeu explained last year that the EU’s move was not unexpected as Maldivian fisheries had been given a three year extension of its duty-free status after graduating from the UN’s definition of a ‘least developed’ country to ‘middle income’ in 2011.

Silk Route

The government decided to participate in the Chinese 21st Century Maritime Silk Route initiative because China is currently the strongest and fastest growing economy in the world, President Yameen said.

As a result, Yameen continued, the government believes that the “multi-million dollar infrastructure investment” needed for economic development would “arrive through this door.”

Participation in the Silk Road initiative would not adversely affect either the Maldives independence and sovereignty or the Islamic identity of the nation, he insisted.

Ahead of his maiden state visit in September, Chinese President Xi Jingping called on the Maldives “to get actively involved” in the creation of a maritime trade route linking China to the east coast of Africa and the Mediterranean.

Meanwhile, former President Mohamed Nasheed has criticised the decision to join the Silk Route initiative, contending that it would threaten Indian Ocean security and risk putting the Maldives in the middle of war or disputes between Asian powers.

“Indian Ocean stability depends on a firm Indian hand. President Yameen must reverse his decision on Maldives being a party to the Silk Route,” the opposition leader tweeted on November 8.

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MPs quiz finance minister about revenue raising measures

MPs on the budget review committee quizzed Finance Minister Abdulla Jihad yesterday about revenue raising measures proposed within the record MVR24.3 billion (US$1.5 billion) state budget for 2015.

Briefing the committee yesterday (November 10), Jihad explained that MVR3.4 billion (US$220 million) in additional revenue is anticipated from raising import duty rates from July onward and introducing a ‘green tax’ for tourists.

Additionally, acquisition fees from investments to special economic zones (SEZs), income from the home ownership programme, and leasing 10 islands for resort development would help raise the forecast revenue.

The minister also told the committee that domestic debt had reached about MVR20 billion (US$1.2 billion)- 39 percent of GDP -making the rolling over of T-bills “a nightmare”.

The government was considering increasing custom duties “mostly for luxury items, or items that are harmful to the environment or health,” he said.

The cabinet’s economic council has not yet finalised the import duty or tariff revisions, Jihad noted, though he did reveal that the items under consideration include tobacco, perfume, and vehicles.

Tariffs for tobacco would be raised from the current 150 percent to 300 percent while duty would be raised from 100 to 150 percent for cars, and zero to 10 percent for perfume, Jihad said.

Asked if higher custom duties would lead to higher prices, Jihad said the impact on the inflation rate would have to be studied, which would take time to complete.

Jihad stressed that the government has ceased deficit monetisation – borrowing money from the central bank to finance the deficit – in May, as a result of which the inflation rate was reduced to 1.4 percent.

In April, parliament approved import duty hikes for a range of goods proposed by the government as a revenue raising measure.

Meanwhile, the forecast for income from SEZ acquisition fees is US$100 million, Jihad revealed, which is expected by August 2015.

A further MVR400 million (US$25.9 million) is forecast from leasing and sale of land from across the country, Jihad said – in particular, plots from unused reclaimed land in various islands.

The state-owned land designated for leasing or sale falls under three categories, he explained, which were residential, commercial, and industrial.

Moreover, 10 new islands would be leased next year for resort development, he continued, which would generate income for the government in the form of acquisition costs.

As an incentive or relief for new resorts with development stalled due to financial constraints, Jihad said the government would waive import duties for construction material or capital goods next year.

Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb revealed yesterday that a green tax of US$6 per night would be introduced in November 2015 and guest houses would be exempt from the tax.

Jihad said the income from the green tax would be used for water, sewerage, and coastal protection projects.

Of the proposed revenue raising measures, import duty revisions and introduction of a green tax would be subject to parliamentary approval, which the finance minister hoped would be granted as the budget was passed.

Legislative compromises to new revenue measures led Jihad to express fears in August that the predicted state deficit for 2014 would more than double in 2014.

State debt

The outstanding stock of treasury bills (T-bills) is currently MVR10 billion (US$648.5 million), said the finance minister.

In his budget speech last week, Jihad observed that the state’s debt would reach MVR31 billion (US$2 billion) or 67 percent of GDP by the end of 2014.

Expenditure on state employees in 2014 would reach MVR15.8 billion (US$1 billion), Jihad observed, while MVR3.2 billion (US$207 million) would have been spent on subsidies and social security benefits.

Consequently, the government was facing serious difficulties in “managing the state’s cash flow and financing the budget” as well as securing loans for budget support, Jihad said.

According to the central bank, the total outstanding stock of government securities was MVR13.6 billion (US$881 million) at the end of September.

Spiralling debt is threatening “the economy’s health”, Jihad said yesterday, with the rolling over T-bills proving to be difficult as the ministry has to plead with banks for extension of repayment periods.

“For example, if MVR600 million matures this week and there is MVR700 million in the public bank account, if the MVR600 million is rolled over there’ll be MVR100 million. How can we run the state with that? It can’t be done,” he explained.

The solution was raising additional revenue by utilising resources such as uninhabited islands, he continued, and appealed for cooperation from parliament. Additionally, the government was trying to extend the periods for repayment of debt.

The interest rate for T-bills is currently 7.5 percent, Jihad said, down from 10 percent before the current administration took office.

“This year we estimate that MVR1.2 billion worth of T-bills have been used by the state for finances. In 2015, it will be MVR440 million,” he noted.

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Bill proposed to exempt domestic air travel from T-GST

MPs today debated amendments submitted on behalf of the government by the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) MP Mohamed Ismail to exempt domestic air travel or ticket prices from Tourism Goods and Services Tax (T-GST).

The amendments (Dhivehi) to the GST Act of 2011 also proposed exempting goods sold at shops in resorts, guesthouses, and hotels that are exclusively for staff from the 12 percent tax rate.

A T-GST hike from eight to 12 percent – approved by parliament in February as part of revenue raising measures proposed by the government – came into effect on November 1.

Subsequently, local airlines Maldivian and Flyme imposed a 12 percent sales tax on ticket prices and increased airfare by about MVR32 per ticket.

“Now a [ticket] to a flight to Addu has gotten more expensive than a flight to Colombo. This is not, in any situation, how it should be priced,” former President Mohamed Nasheed told local media following the tax rise.

Presenting the legislation at today’s sitting of parliament, MP Mohamed Ismail said the purpose of the amendment bill was to exempt Maldivians from the tax hike.

While the bill was submitted on October 22 before the T-GST rise came into force, the MP for Haa Alif Hoarafushi noted that its inclusion in the agenda was slightly delayed.

The bill also states that any visitor who enters the country on a tourist visa shall be considered a tourist.

If the bill is passed into law, the GST rate for domestic airfare would be six percent.

The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) had anticipated MVR34 million (US$) in additional income as a result of the tax hike.

All MPs who spoke during the preliminary debate were in favour of the revision and the T-GST exemption for domestic air travel.

However, opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MPs criticised the majority party or ruling coalition for approving the tax hike in February without the exemption for locals.

As the bill would have to be reviewed by committee before it could be passed, MDP MP Ali Nizar said the government had ample time to amend the law before November.

Jumhooree Party MP Faisal Naseem also noted that MPs would have known in February that T-GST would be charged for domestic airfare and goods sold for tourism workers.

“What I want to note today is, would we not have to propose an amendment again for a six percent refund?” the MP for Kaashidhoo asked.

If MPs wished to reimburse locals for the six percent extra charge, Faisal suggested adding a provision in the amendment bill during the committee stage.

He also called on MPs to expedite the legislative process and pass the amendment as soon as possible.

Following the preliminary debate, the bill was accepted unanimously with 60 votes in favour and sent to the whole house committee.

Introduced in 2011, T-GST generated around MVR2 billion (US$129 million) between January and September this year – equal to just under 24 percent of all government revenue.

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Majlis accepts legislation on building code

The People’s Majlis yesterday accepted for consideration a bill submitted on behalf of the government by Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Saudhulla Hilmy on building codes.

Presenting the 90-page draft legislation (Dhivehi) at yesterday’s sitting of parliament, Hilmy explained that the proposed law would establish a legal framework and set safety standards for the construction industry in the Maldives.

“One of the most important reasons for [submitting] this bill is because important measures are not taken due to the lack of a bill or law while many people have died or suffered serious harm in construction accidents,” the MP for Thinadhoo North said.

The submission of the bill was delayed due to changes made by ministers under successive governments, he added.

The bill proposes the formation of the ‘Maldives Building and Construction Authority’ to function under the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure.

The authority would be tasked with formulating rules and regulations, setting standards, and ranking and registering contractors and industry professionals.

All MPs who spoke during the ensuing debate spoke in favour of the bill and noted the importance of introducing a Building Act.

However, several MPs argued that the building and construction authority should be an independent institution free from political influence.

Some MPs objected to contractors from the atolls having to travel to Malé to seek permits or licenses while others suggested that the law should incentivise or provide equal opportunity for small and medium-sized construction companies.

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Mariya Ahmed Didi said the submission of important legislation drafted during the MDP’s three years in government were delayed due to the “coup on February 7, 2012.”

As a result of changing regulations and the lack of a comprehensive building code, Mariya said several of her constituents in the Manchangoalhi ward of Malé had requests for construction permits declined.

MDP MP Ahmed Nashid contended that fines specified in the bill were excessive and suggested revisions at the committee stage.

PPM MP Jameel Usman meanwhile noted that the bill includes provisions for incentivising the hiring of locals in the construction industry.

He suggested that the law should also specify a reasonable period for approving construction permits and recommended improvements by the committee.

Jumhooree Party (JP) Leader Gasim Ibrahim contended that the faults in the bill were too numerous to be rectified at the committee and said it should be withdrawn.

As audit reports were exposing “serious corruption and negligence” by government ministries, Gasim argued it would not be advisable to require approval and permits from the housing ministry.

Following the preliminary debate, the bill was accepted unanimously with 61 votes in favour and sent to the national development committee for further review.

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“Significant changes” brought to education sector, says minister

Education Minister Dr Aishath Shiham informed the press yesterday of “significant changes” brought to the education sector during the first year of the current administration, including introduction of Quran as a subject for grades one to seven, Arabic language in 20 schools, and vocational training.

“Historic work” has been done during the year under the ‘No Child Left Behind’ education policy, Dr Shiham said at yesterday’s press conference.

In addition to the science, business, and arts streams in secondary education, Dr Shiham said a new “vocational education stream” would be introduced next year.

A pilot programme has been conducted this year in eight schools in Malé with 188 students, and four schools in the atolls with 279 students, she said.

She noted that the ‘B-tech’ diploma level two certificate awarded for vocational training was of the same standard or qualification as the O’ Level certificate.

The number of students who fail O’ Levels – the pass rate for which was 46 percent in 2012 – and “get left behind” would be significantly reduced as a result, she added.

Moreover, 68 students from grades eight and nine were currently studying polytechnic courses for a level three certificate, she continued, which was also of the same standard as the O’ Level certificate.

The ‘Dhasvaaru’ programme launched this year meanwhile involved identifying disinterested or poor students, she explained, of which 180 students have started working in 30 private and government-owned companies.

Opposition concerns

In an open letter – signed by former education minister Dr Musthafa Luthfy – sent to the education ministry last week, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) education committee expressed concern with students allegedly being deprived of secondary education in favour of vocational training.

Under the new policy, the MDP noted that certain students are “labelled” as poor at grade eight and taught only Dhivehi, Islam, Mathematics, and English without a plan or approved curriculum.

“And after teaching these four subjects at school, students are to be sent to private parties in the name of teaching work,” the letter stated, noting the absence of a curriculum or syllabus for training the students.

The education committee also contended that singling out certain students for “second class” vocational education would become an obstacle in the future to conducting programmes for all secondary school students.

Moreover, the state’s “discrimination” among students would create problems for social equality, peace, and stability in the future, the letter added.

Offering a “narrow” education to selected students from age 14 onward would also prevent schools from providing remedial or special assistance to bring the students up to the average standard, the education committee argued.

The letter also noted that vocational training was not reserved for students with low grades under the new education curriculum framework.

“Achievements”

Education Minister Dr Shiham meanwhile referred to designating two schools – in Kulhudhufushi and Addu City – for Arabic medium instruction as a “very big achievement.”

Moreover, Dhivehi, Islam, and Quran were being taught to 417 Maldivian children in Sri Lanka while efforts were underway to provide the subjects to Maldivians residing in Trivandrum, India.

A volunteerism programme would also be conducted in all schools across the country next year, she continued, and life skills training has been offered in 180 schools this year after training 196 teachers.

Additionally, orientation programmes have been conducted to introduce civic education in 2015 and resource packs have been prepared.

Among other first year achievements listed in a document shared with the media yesterday included establishing five units in five islands for children with special needs and two early intervention centres in Kulhudhufushi and Fuvahmulah.

While MVR17 million (US$1.1 million) was spent this year to provide facilities such as furniture and computers to schools, 96 classrooms have been constructed and work was underway on constructing 128 further classrooms.

Additionally, MVR1.5 million (US$97,276) was spent to improve school laboratories and MVR1 million (US$64,850) was spent to purchase exercise equipment for schools.

Under an agreement signed with the health ministry in February, 5,792 grade one students have been screened so far and a child protection policy has been formulated.

While 16 school counsellors have completed a four-month online “solution focused brief therapy” course offered by the University of Wisconsin, a survey to assess physical and psychological health of students is expected to be completed on November 16.

More than 1,000 higher education opportunities have been offered this year as student loans and scholarships.

As part of preparations to roll out the new curriculum in 2015, 239 “curriculum ambassadors” and 1,820 principals and teachers have been trained.

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