Education Minister Ismail Shafeeu announced yesterday that major changes are set to be introduced to Key Stage 1 textbooks.
Speaking at the 8th International Teachers' Conference, Shafeeu emphasized that while the curriculum will be updated next year, true transformation in the education system can only be achieved through the dedication of teachers.
"God willing, there will be major changes to Key Stage 1 and Grade 1 textbooks next year. However, I want to remind our beloved teachers that even if the books change, real progress depends on your hard work. A book alone does not educate," Shafeeu said.
The revision of Key Stage 1 materials will impact textbooks for Grades 1, 2, and 3. The Minister noted that more important than the physical books is the underlying philosophy used to shape the education of young students.
"It is not the book itself that is most important. What truly matters—and where the biggest change will occur—is in how we conceptualize and shape the education of our youngest learners," the Minister stated.
Furthermore, Shafeeu highlighted efforts to bridge the gap between secondary and higher secondary education, noting that enrollment capacity has already increased from approximately 30 percent to 50 percent.
The Minister added that with the establishment of vocational high schools and the expansion of new opportunities, the government aims to increase higher secondary capacity to 60 percent in the coming years.
This year, more than 4,000 students enrolled in Grade 1 at government schools, including over 1,700 students in the Male' area alone.
Additionally, more than 1,500 students transferred from the atolls to schools in the capital, with the majority—over 800 students—moving to Hulhumale'.
The current academic year commenced across 219 schools with a total student population exceeding 77,000, supported by more than 9,000 teachers.
