Maldives allows homeschooling for children with disabilities
New measures give students with disabilities access to O-Level exams, highlighting gaps in inclusive education and teacher capacity
MALE, Maldives (MNTV) — The Maldives government has announced new measures aimed at expanding educational access for children with disabilities, including provisions for home-based learning and eligibility to sit for Ordinary Level (O-Level) examinations, addressing longstanding barriers within the country’s school system.
The policy shift, outlined during a parliamentary address by President Mohamed Muizzu, introduces a formal pathway for children with physical and intellectual disabilities to pursue education outside conventional classroom settings, while remaining eligible for nationally recognized examinations.
Under the proposed framework, students whose disabilities limit regular school attendance will be permitted to study from home through structured homeschooling arrangements. Authorities say accommodations will be tailored based on individual assessments of physical or cognitive needs, with regulatory amendments expected to be introduced during the current session of the parliament.
The initiative also includes plans to adapt O-Level examinations to ensure accessibility, a move that education advocates say could significantly affect students who have previously been excluded from certification due to rigid assessment formats.
Beyond examination access, the government outlined a broader inclusive education project expected to roll out this year. Measures include upgrading school infrastructure to accommodate students with disabilities, establishing specialized classrooms and accessible sanitation facilities, expanding learning-support services, and supplying assistive devices and adapted teaching materials. Officials said specialized textbooks would also be developed to meet diverse learning needs.
The announcement acknowledges persistent structural challenges within the education system, particularly a shortage of teachers trained in special educational needs (SEN). Authorities said a dedicated teacher-training program was launched last year to address the gap, though no timeline has been provided for when sufficient staff levels might be reached.
In a related policy change, the government said that from March 1, civil service employees who are parents of children with disabilities will be permitted to work remotely, a move intended to reduce caregiving strain and improve family support.
While disability rights groups have long called for inclusive education reforms in the Maldives, analysts note that implementation — rather than policy intent — will determine whether the measures meaningfully expand access. The country, like many small island states, faces constraints in specialist staff, resources, and nationwide standardization.
If effectively enforced, the new framework could mark a shift away from exclusionary schooling practices toward a more flexible, rights-based education model for children with disabilities — a population that has historically remained on the margins of formal education.
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