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Every year when Cambridge O' level results are announced, it's chest thumping time for Maldives Education Ministry officials, claiming their school system is the best in the world. True, Maldivian students display individual brilliance that compares with the best in the world who take these exams. But what is conveniently forgotten during the celebrations is the inconvenient fact that 73% of the 7000 candidates fail the exams. So, which of these two pictures represents the real school system of Maldives?
Looking at the results this year, six students were placed 1st in the list of world top 10. Five of them belonged to the so-called elite schools of Male, even though five of them were citizens of other islands. In addition, 33 students were included in the world top 10. This is an increase over last year's figure of 25.
That's the good news. The bad news is that only 27% of the 7000 candidates passed the examination. Further, 22% of the candidates brought a "U" set, meaning they did not score any marks. Another worrying trend is the decreasing pass percentage of Dhivehi and Islam.
Many ordinary Maldivians believe that the brilliant performances at Top 10 level is more due to inherent talent and private tuition rather than anything done by the schools. They believe the actual contribution of the schools is the 27% pass rate. This of course is a very harsh judgment.
Whatever the reason, there is a widening gulf between the handful of world beaters and the vast majority of students who come out as failures from the schools. An interesting question is, how will the new policy of establishing elitist private schools affect the situation?
10 comments:
Education in Maldives is not as bad as what people say. Running schools in 200 islands is no easy task. producing so many top 10 is very good. give credit where it is due.
You always see the hole in the doughnut don't you? Yes, we do have a situation where our education system needs to be improved significantly.. But could you really try and be proud and happy for these kids..I was proud and happy when I heard of your success at AIMS. And collectively we celebrated the success of our football team even though we knew that there were many parts of our sporting sector which would found wanting
Pass percentage will be higher if we switch over to Dhivehi medium. Children learn better in mother tounge according to studies.
The results are a tribute to the education poilcy of President Gayoom. Island boys and girls did so well because he created schools in the islands. Congratulations boys and girls. Thanks Gayoom.
kaaeche nulibi eh aharu vaa iru, libunu kreemkraker biscodhu vaa nee rangandaka , maumoon aharumena dheven oy eme kuda ehi dheefa, bodu geyga eyothee nidhan. 30 aharu thereyga, miyo kuda abaadhee oy gaumaga onan je heyne 90% pass grade aai hama ehaavra eme mathin fass vaa kudhin. Dhivehi kudhin nakee, molhethi hunaru huri kudhin. Emee hun na liben gehey thauleemu libenee gudhaaru bindhaigen.
Excellent Observation. What is this world we are talking about anyway. howmany countries take part in Cambridge university exams? I think grading students and celebrating the high scores is very detrimental to the kids who did not pass. it creates jealousy. If any kid fails it is a failure of the system. there are no inborn intelligent kids and stupid kids. It all depends on how you nurture them. When all kids are doing great, then i will celebrate!
We have 73% getting u sets because we allow these hopeless cases to sit for the O-level exams.We should not have automatic promotions in the primary schools. Those who fail in the primary schools should have alternative path. Not O levels and A levels and degrees.Even if parents are willing to pay for O level exams , we should not allow those students who we know for sure will fail to sit.
Divehi and Islam teaching need to be mordernized and paper marking better. Now examiners think when they make these papers harder the standard of divihi, Islam are higher.
hi Mr.Waleed,
i would like to know more about Schools in Maldives and the oppurtunity to work there...could you guide me in finding the right details...seems like u r also an educationalist...are u?
hi Mr.Waleed,
i would like to know more about Schools in Maldives we are in animation and multimedia based in banglore india we are looking for local institute who can support and make money please e-mail me syedmahmood65@yahoo.com
If you want to improve your results start hiring more North Indian teachers. they do not have fake degrees like south Indians'courtesy Ascent (Times of India dated 27th November)
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