The Republic of Maldives officially launched its 2019 Education Sector Analysis and 2019-2023 Education Sector Plan on December 1^st.

The sector plan (ESP) was developed by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) and supported by a GPE grant of US$500,000. The two documents were launched by the Minister of Education, Dr. Aishath Ali, and the Higher Education Minister, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan.

The new ESP’s mission is “to provide opportunities to all girls, boys, youth and adults, to acquire knowledge and skills, as well as nurture in them values and attitudes, to thrive and actively participate in nation building, and live as responsible global citizens in an interconnected world”. 

The sector plan is the result of a comprehensive education sector analysis and consultative work led by the Ministry of Education, in coordination with its partners, in particular UNICEF, which is the coordinating agency and the grant agent for the GPE grant. This is the first time that the country has developed such a comprehensive overview and plan for the education sector since 1995.

The education plan has four goals:

1. Improved learning for all, through equitable access to quality education
2. Skilled youth and adults for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship
3. Ensure equitable access to lifelong, affordable and quality higher education for all
4. System strengthening for efficiency and quality schools for all

In addition to supporting the development of the education sector plan, GPE is also providing funding to support the design of an education program that will help the country implement its national strategy.

The Maldives joined GPE in June this year.

GPE looks forward to continued partnership with the country to strengthen its education system in order to dramatically increase the number of children who are in school and learning.