Science was taught in the Maldives, in some form as early as 1978 as far as I know and more interestingly it was taught to primary grades or smaller students. I can still remember the days I used to make my own text books with illustrations of my own to teach children of almost my age. It was as early as 1981 when I was in grade 5. My actions indicated the good quality of teaching science during those days or my talents in relations to teaching and learning at that tender age. I believe that science must have been taught in Majeediyya and Aminiya School since introduction of English medium of education in those two schools which were the first schools in Maldives to introduce English Medium Education.
The modern system of English medium education was introduced in 1961 and the curriculum reorganized to accommodate the General Certificate of Education, London. Under this system pre-school, primary and secondary education were made available to a large part of the population. (MyMaldives.com, 2009) Thus the subjects of science such as Biology,Chemistry and Physics were made part of the curriculum in the secondary grades and at the same time a good knowledge of science was provided for lower grades. My unusual behavior to teach science to my cousins when I was in grade 5 is a clear sign of this.
The Maldives.com confirms that the curriculum included more subjects and continuous research in upgrading the curriculum goes on. A new national curriculum for primary and middle schools was designed and introduced in 1984. It is certain that curriculum incorporate environmental studies, science, Dhivehi language, mathematics, English language, fine arts, physical education and calligraphy.(THEMALDIVES.COM, 2010) Thus Science has been part of the knowledge and information disseminated among Maldivian students who studied in schools of Capital Male’ at least.
As a result of the increase in the number of students completing London GCE Ordinary Level exam successfully from schools in Male’ the need to establish a higher secondary education centre arose. Thus, the first 'A' level school, The Science Education Center was established in 1987.(MyMaldives.com, 2009) The Center For Higher Secondary Education, as the centre is called now, readies students to sit for the London GCE 'A' level examinations. Maintaining an affiliation to a reputed external examination system at secondary level, the Government has most appropriately innovated and introduced a Fisheries Science Programme into the secondary school, the subject having been offered at GCE '0' level since 1987.(THEMALDIVES.COM, 2010) This again is a sign of improvement in the field of science education.
Today, however, primary and secondary education is available throughout the country and primary education is compulsory. As the modern English-medium school system expands, the traditional system is gradually being upgraded(MyMaldives.com, 2009) . An Arabic Islamic Education center was established in 1981 in the Name Mauhadh A-Dhiraasaathul Islaamiyya.(MyMaldives.com, 2009) This centre also taught the main subjects of science Chemistry ,Physics and Biology since the beginning. Moreover, the students who completed this institute successfully were offered chances of further education at Al-Azhar University of Cairo,Egypt. They were offered higher studies in the field of science and medicine as well.
Even at the early stage of Introduction of Science Education Aminiya and Majeediyya School the most prominent schools were well equipped to teach science fruitfully with laboratories with all facilities and expert teachers to teach science who were brought from Sri Lanka and India. Further unlike today Science Laboratory was accessible to students of grades six and seven as well to open their eyes for experimenting techniques and science.
The Marine Research Centre (MRC) was founded in 1984 as a small section of the Ministry of Fisheries which is now a semi-autonomous Government institution mandated to undertake research on living marine resources and to provide scientific advice to the government and industry on rational utilization and management.(Centre, 2010) The establishment of the centre is a result of the good quality of students of science produced by the schools during the period of early introduction of science to the education system.
As a sign of the development of science in the Maldives in 1973, Allied Health Services Training Centre the forerunner to the current Faculty of Health Sciences which now functions under Maldives College of higher Education was established by the Ministry of Health.(Education, 2006)
The early establishment of science and progress which was made by the Maldives is clear to us now. However, it is yet to discover whether we are improving in the field of science in the rate required or anticipated in contrast with the early establishments.
References
Education, M. C. o. H. (2006). A Brief History of MCHE. Retrieved 12/15/2010: http://www.mche.edu.mv/index.php?id=33
MyMaldives.com. (2009). Maldives Directory - Education. Retrieved 12/15/2010: http://www.maldivesdir.com/education/
THEMALDIVES.COM. (2010). Education in Maldives. Retrieved 12/13/2010: http://www.themaldives.com/maldives/education.html
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