Muizzu’s Vows to Shift School Holidays Back to December, Sparks Debate
Photo: Male’ City Council
People’s National Congress’ (PNC) presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to move school holidays back to December has ignited a heated discussion among netizens.
The move has raised concerns among tourism industry workers who assert that December marks the peak tourist season, which marks the busiest time of the year for tourism workers.
Tourism Employees Association of Maldives (TEAM), a union advocating for the rights of tourism industry workers, tweeted saying that the current arrangement was made in-line with the wishes of overwhelming majority of the industry workers.
ސުކޫލްތަކުގެ ބޮޑުބަންދަށް މިހާރު ގެނެވިފައިވާ ބަދަލަކީ މުހިންމު އިޖްތިމާއީ އަދި އިގްތިސާދީ ފައިދާ ތަކެއް ހިމެނޭ ޙާއްސަކޮށް ޓޫރިޒަމް މަސައްކަތްތެރިންގެ ބޮޑުމެޖޯރިޓީ އެއް ބޭނުންވެގެން ގެނެވިފައިވާ މުހިންމު ބަދަލެއް! މި ބަދަލު، އަލުން ބަދަލު ކުރަންޖެހޭ އެކަށީގެންވާ ސަބަބެެއް ނެތް! https://t.co/OputOjB8fN— TEAM (@TEAMmaldives) August 17, 2023
While the existing alteration to the school closure period undeniably carries significant social and economic advantages, particularly for the substantial number of employees within the tourism sector, the proposed shift has prompted intense debates over its potential consequences.
Supporters of this move argue that this change might stimulate local businesses catering to seasonal festivities, thus boosting the overall economy.
Whether Muizzu’s promise to move school holidays to December becomes a reality or not, the discourse it has sparked serves as a reminder of the intricate decisions that political leaders must navigate in their quest to address the diverse needs of their constituents.
In response to criticism over proposed school holiday changes, Muizzu has announced he aims to directly address concerns raised by tourism workers and find a solution in a meeting in F. Nilandhoo tonight.
ކެމްޕޭން ޖަލްސާގައި އިޢުލާން ކުރެވުނު ސްކޫލް ބޮޑު ޗުއްޓީ ޑިސެމްބަރ އަށް ބަދަލު ކުރުމާއި މެދު ރިސޯޓު ތަކުގައި މަސައްކަތްކުރައްވާ މުވައްޒަފުންގެ ކަންބޮޑުވުންތައް ދަނީ ލިބެމުން. އަޅުގަނޑު މި ކަންބޮޑުވުމަށް ޙައްލު ގެނެސްދޭނަަން. ތަފްސީލް މިރޭ ފ.ނިލަންދޫގައި އޮންނަ ޖަލްސާގައި…— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) August 17, 2023





