Ministry of Education has decided to revise the recently published policy on assigning principals to government schools under tenureship.
The education ministry said it decided to revise the policy after several principals expressed concerns over some of the clauses in the policy, including the clause which sets a maximum of two 4-year terms for principals to remain in one school under tenureship. The ministry said it is working with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to revise the policy and the regulations formed under the policy based on the concerns raised by the principals.
Speaking at a programme aired on PSM News on September 12, State Minister of Education Aishath Athiya Naseer had stated principals who have been serving at one school for more than 8 years will remain in their positions, as the term would only begin after the principal is assigned to a school under tenure in accordance to the new policy. She said principals will be provided the option to transfer to another school at the end of each term, although they will not be permitted to remain in the same school following the end of the second term of tenure.
Speaking at the same programme, Deputy Minister of Education Mohamed Ihsan had also stated no principal will be forced to transfer to another school without their consent. He said all regulations under the new policy will be formed in such a way that ensures current and new principals are not deprived of their basic rights.
The education ministry stated the new policy on assigning principals was formulated to strengthen the administration of schools in the Maldives and to ensure capable and qualified principals are assigned to schools. The ministry said the policy also aims to resolve the problems faced when a principal remains at one school for a long period of time and to ensure fresh ideas and policies are implemented to improve the quality of school administration.