Education Ministry officials also confirmed that children’s views were invited and their opinions sought in the ongoing process for designing a new national curriculum. The National Curriculum Framework, according to its current Draft, aims to instil in students values of participation and citizenship, providing them with an understanding of their role in a democratic society and guiding them on ‘how to actively participate in a democratic society.’19 One of the eight principles upon which all decision making processes of the curriculum is based include empowerment of students to attain their maximum potential, and personal excellence through the provision of a learning environment that encourages their active participation20. Furthermore, the new curriculum also aims to foster children’s civic engagement and participation in wider public life by encouraging them and guiding them to be active citizens at all levels of their communities. Students will also be encouraged to ‘participate in social activities that have real value in the world’ as well as to participate in group processes that teach them about their worlds. The goal is to ensure that children become ‘full participating citizens in society.’21 While these plans promise increased participation of children in education, and also in wider society, substantial gaps exist between policy and praxis as is discussed later. The Ministry of Education is concerned with the remarkably long period of time it is taking for the Majlis [Parliament] to pass the Education Bill (three years and counting, 2009-2011) which has meant delays in implementing many positive changes the new legislation promises. Once passed, the Education Act will make education compulsory for children, providing the Ministry with the legislative basis needed for developing mechanisms that would give it the authority to take legal action against parents who refuse or neglect to send their children to school. Such mechanisms do not currently exist. In a consultative meeting, Deputy Minister of Education Dr Abdulla Nazeer expressed concern that an increasing number of parents are refusing to send children to school claiming it to be against their religious beliefs to do so. Dr Nazeeer estimated there are roughly 400 children in the Maldives currently who are being withheld from attending school by their parents due to such beliefs. There is no tracking system at the moment that allows the Ministry to monitor nationwide school attendance of children and, without the proper legislative mechanisms, it is difficult to implement and ensure the functioning of such a system. The Ministry has made many efforts to increase awareness among parents and to impress upon them the importance of education and schooling for children’s development, and to make parents aware that each child has a fundamental right to education. 19 “The National Curriculum Framework [Draft]”, National Curriculum Reform, Educational Development Centre, accessed http://nationalcurriculumreform.blogspot.com/p/draft-curriculum-framework.html, November 19, 2011 20 Principle Five, “The National Curriculum Framework [Draft]”, National Curriculum Reform, Educational Development Centre, accessed http://nationalcurriculumreform.blogspot.com/p/draft-curriculum-framework.html, November 19, 2011 21 “The National Curriculum Framework [Draft]”, Ibid. 15