Teacher Training Programme for Special Educational Needs Launched at IUM and Villa College
Ministry partners with IUM and Villa for SEN training | Photo: Education Ministry
Teacher training courses aimed at supporting students with special learning needs are set to begin at the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) and Villa College, in partnership with the Ministry of Education.
މުދައްރިސުން ތަމްރީނުކުރުމުގެ ޤައުމީ ޕްރޮގްރާމްގައި ހިމެނޭ، އުނގެނުމުގައި ޚާއްޞައެހީއަށް ބޭނުންވާ ދަރިވަރުންނަށް ކިޔަވައިދޭ މުދައްރިސުން ތަމްރީނުކުރުމުގެ ކޯސް އިޢުލާންކުރުމަށް ބޭއްވި ރަސްމިއްޔާތު މިނިސްޓަރ ޑރ. އިސްމާޢީލް ޝަފީޢު ޝަރަފްވެރި ކޮށްދެއްވުން. pic.twitter.com/l4975R5xYA
— Ministry of Education (@MoEdumv) August 6, 2025advertisement
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The training initiative, targeting Special Educational Needs (SEN) teachers, was officially launched during a ceremony held at IUM. The agreement was signed by the Minister of Education, Dr Ismail Shafeeu, on behalf of the Ministry, with IUM Vice Chancellor Dr Ali Zahir and Villa College Vice Rector Dr Ali Najib signing on behalf of their respective institutions.
The course is part of the National Teacher Training Programme, a key component of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s education pledges. It is designed to strengthen the capacity of teachers working with students requiring specialised support and to improve the quality of inclusive education across the country.
Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Shafeeu underscored the importance of aligning teacher education with the practical needs of the classroom, particularly in the area of special education. He emphasised the need to reform existing training models to ensure that teachers are adequately prepared to meet the needs of diverse learners.
According to Dr Shina, Dean of IUM’s Kulliyah of Education, the SEN teacher training course will begin in September and will be conducted in all islands where IUM campuses are located. The one-year diploma-level course consists of eight modules and four additional workshops designed to enhance teaching capacity. She noted that the course was developed with input from an expert in the field to ensure its quality and relevance.
Villa College will also begin offering the same course in September. Enrolment is now open for eligible candidates.
The training is fully funded by the government and free of charge for participants. In addition, each student enrolled in the programme will receive a monthly allowance of USD 100.
