82. The old curriculum was revised and new curriculum was launched in 2015 beginning of academic
year for grade 1‐3.
Education for children in alternative care and children in conflict with law
83. According to Maldives Police Service (MPS) a total of 520 juveniles were detained from 2008 to
2014, out of which 31 were females.137Education or vocational programs are not facilitated for
children in conflict with the law, who remain in pre‐trial detention or serving a sentence in prison.
Presently there is no proper mechanism in place to facilitate education for those in conflict with the
law. This is concerning as education is an important aspect of their development and reintegration
into the society.
84. The mandate of Juvenile Justice Unit (JJU) functioning under Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) is
based on the philosophy of restorative justice. JJU in collaboration with Child Protection Unit of the
Maldives Police Service (MPS) established Correctional Training Centre for Children (CTCC) in 2009.
The objective of the center was to provide a formal learning environment to children in
“administrative detention” so that they can return to school or assist to acquire necessary skills for a
job. 138 Academic and vocational programs were conducted to 19 boys aged 15 to 18 years
accommodated in the centre, who were identified as dangerous with potential of committing a
serious offence.139,140Although center is closed for operation since 2013, there is policy discourse on
the re‐establishment of a similar center in near future.141
85. Children and adolescent girls (under state care) in Kuda Kudhinge Hiyaa and Amaan Hiyaa are
enrolled in Muhyiddin school in Vilimale’. There were accounts of parents’ disapproval of children
from Kuda Kudhinge Hiyaa being allowed to attend ‘normal’ school.142Children not enrolled in any
school or vocational program in the shelter were facilitated one hour of tuition per weekday
however, there were no programs conducted for their physical, psychological and educational
development.143Shelter also made an arrangement for a volunteer SEN teacher to teach children
with disabilities.144
86. Boys aged 9 to 18 years of age in state care were accommodated in Education Training Centre for
Children (ETCC).The NPM’s last visit to center in 2013 observed that there were 30 children studying
in primary level, while few children were offered lower secondary subjects (English and Math) in the
center. Although the center mostly focused on vocational programs to develop necessary skills
required to reintegrate them to society, programs were not conducted to the required standard due
to lack of resources and capacity issues. Limited staff at the center meant that children during
vocational classes were left highly vulnerable to threat of a dangerous accident.145This center too
was closed for operation in 2013.
Education for Children with Disabilities
87. Disability Act also entitles right to education without any discrimination of any kind. About two
years following enactment of the Disability Act, a policy on Inclusive Education (IE) was endorsed by
the MoE. IE policy encompasses lot of positive aspects. A major strength of this policy is the focus it
had made to all children with SEN and requirement to update it each year to focus on relevant
issues.146
88. The second baseline human rights survey named "Six Years On ‐ The Right Side of Life" conducted by
HRCM identified lack of schools for children with special needs, lack of access to education and lack
of facilities in existing schools for children with special needs; as an obstacle faced by people with
disabilities.147
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