Minister of Education Dr Ismail Shafeeu has assured that there are no difficulties in recruiting teachers for the upcoming academic year, as final preparations continue ahead of the reopening of schools later this month.
The new academic year is set to begin on January 27, with the Ministry of Education currently completing a range of preparatory activities. These include the distribution of textbooks, school maintenance and repair works, and the recruitment of teachers and principals, which the ministry has identified as a key priority.
Speaking in an interview with PSM News, Dr Shafeeu said teacher recruitment is carried out in line with the annual turnover of foreign teachers. He noted that more than 2,000 foreign teachers are currently employed across Maldivian schools, with an average yearly movement of 100 to 150 teachers.
According to the minister, this movement includes resignations, contract terminations, and additional recruitment required due to increasing student enrolment in schools. He said the ministry has already secured the number of teachers needed to address these changes.
Dr Shafeeu added that the ministry maintains a pool of approximately 400 standby teachers each year to respond quickly to unexpected staffing gaps. “Even if there is an unusual movement, a teacher will be brought in within five days,” he said.
The minister emphasised that the recruitment process is progressing smoothly and that schools are currently adequately staffed for the start of the academic year. He also confirmed that efforts are underway to appoint principals to schools that are presently without permanent leadership.
More than 11,000 teachers are currently working in schools across the Maldives. In parallel with recruitment efforts, the government is also focusing on building teacher capacity, including the rollout of a national teacher training programme aimed at strengthening the workforce and addressing long-term staffing needs.
