The first ever preschool to be established in Maldives was Hameediyya Montessori School which was established by the government on 10th May 1961 in Male the capital of Maldives.(School, 2008)In October 1970 the name of the school was changed to Nasiriyya Montessori School.(School, 2008)After changing the name to Iskandhar Montessori school, later in 1980 the school’s name was changed to Iskandhar School as it focused from then on Primary Education rather than preschool.
Other famous preschools which added on later include the preschool run by Jamiyathul Falah. However, let’s focus on the genesis of preschools in the Maldives. As I had been a student of the school while it was named Nasiriyya Montessori School I can very easily compare the condition of that preschool and the current preschools in Male which is run by the private sector as government has reduced their involvement in preschool matters.
It was the kind of preschool which we long to see today. All the teachers were very well informed in the art of teaching preschool level children as they were trained teachers from Sri Lanka. The school even at that time had a good focus on security of the school and had a security guard always at the gate. There were enough building for the number students enrolled and plenty of space for children to move and play around. Big trees in the compound provided sufficient shade and made the environment cool.
The school has drinking water facilities and gadgets for children to play in the compound just as we would see in a modern day children’s park. Though electric bell system was not there the bell hung on a low branch of tree in front of the office rang from time to time. The classrooms were equipped with all necessary materials for the children. There were enough desks and chairs for approximately 20 children who studied in each classroom.
Students were provided with books to read, clay boards, clay, and other materials to be used in the classroom. Parents did not have to pay for those materials and the education was free for children of al economic backgrounds.
The music classes provided a great entertainment for the children. All musical instruments needed such as rattles, triangles, small drums, etc were provided for the students by the school. Further a very talented music teacher played a piano while she instructed students to sing along with her.
Besides all these the school provided free health checkups for the children from time to time and students were encouraged to practice healthy life style.
In the classrooms teachers provided plenty of knowledge required for the age and encouraged children to draw and paint. The lessons were very interactive and I still remember some of the activities and artworks of mine displayed by the teacher.
Thus we could conclude that the preschool at that time was a good establishment and had provided shelter of education for several Maldivian children who are adults of the nation serving today. Though I have not highlighted in this document preschools were established in some islands later and had served the region to which the schools belonged.
good article
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