Another Bubble?

In the last post that I made, I was writing about an issue that I felt I had to write on. Of course, as I expected not everyone was against what I said, nor was everyone in favor of what I said. Yet, I am glad for the comments that I got. Specially the many comments and criticisms I got online in facebook and live messenger. Thank you all.


Some friends of mine asked if this is really the right decision. Or was it right in first place to even think of changing the existing system. Of all that I was asked, the best question was why does it bother me. hehehe


Now the decision is made. Muhibbuddin School is going to be the secondary school and Islamiyya School is going to be the higher secondary school in a given time schedule.

I am happy that the failed system of making a school out of failed students to teach the same syllabus is at last out of agenda. Many, believes that this will have a negative impact on Muhibbuddin School. I do agree with them that there will be such an effect, yet, I really think the cost will be far far less than what it used to be.

Of course I still believe we need a vocational school. Islamiyya School might have been formed with a good will, yet was formed in the wrong manner. After at least seven years, decision makers decided that it is a failed system. The bubble could not hold. Today, the good bye to the system of making a school of failed system is gone. It is sure better, yet not the best. Sending all the students who studied in grade seven to Muhibbuddin School regardless of results will too create another bubble.

The question is, are we going to wait till the next bubble bursts or are we still going to try and find a way to get a vocational school in Addu to cater students who are unable to perform well academically? Once again, noone will be there to decide unless the public wants it that way.


Photo: http://www.sodahead.com/living/the-number-of-people-with-food-allergies-has-tripled-over-the-past-30-years-what-do-you-think-is-th/question-171739/?link=ibaf

Addu Education- Speaking the unspeakable

Addu scholars were famous around the nation. Addu people were educated. They had a lot of knowledge. This was how the Addu people was described often in past when it comes to knowledge and education.
Maybe we can say it is the case even now. At least the only two professors in the country are from Addu. The best school outside Male' is in Addu, former Southern Secondary School or the present Muhibbuddin School. This is the famous model school.

However, today, I am going to write on what we often did not talk, simply because I feel the time to speak out has come. Before I go on with my article let me make two things very clear. First, I was a student of Muhibbuddin School. I did my O Level and A Level in my Muhibbuddin School. I love my school, yet I love my nation as well. Speaking the truth and expressing what I feel, is something I'd always want to do. Second, this article is not to attack anyone by any means, but I feel the system is going on a wrong path, thus I express what I feel.

As I mentioned earlier, the outstanding performance of Muhibbuddin School is very well known around the nation. However, what is untold and hidden is the real cost of this performance.

Unlike any other school in Maldives, there is an entrance exam in Muhibbuddin School for any student to enter the school. This was the practice in school during the past 15years. Only the students who gets above 40 are given chance in school after doing an exam on Maths, English, Science and Social studies. This is believed to be to get a standard set of students to do O Level. If that is the case, it is very well and good.

However, the real story is different. The students who fails in the entrance are sent to another school, Islamiyya School. What does this mean? This simply means a segregation of students. A failed system which many believes is not fit to this civilized world of 21st century. This also leads to a school with failed students, who themselves have no more self confidence as they feel been "banished" as failures.

As someone who studied in Muhibbuddin School and someone who taught in Islamiyya School, I think I have a pretty good idea of both the places. The students of Islamiyya School are been labeled by the whole society as failures. I say this not because I heard someone saying, but because I got the chance to be part of the system.

The performance of Muhibbuddin School is good. Yet a simple question. Why does Muhibbuddin School fails to become the top school in nation every single year when they take the best students. The students some describes as the CREAM. If then is it worth to take this cream and put the educational life of many other students in misery?

Now the question may be why I speak of this today!

This week, the government (as far as my knowledge the southern province with the views of some school heads) decided that this system will be continued. The announcement came after a previous talk on dividing the students who finish grade 7 between two school, which would have ended the previous practice of segregation of students and making a students out of failed students. I am writing this article because I feel, this is the wrong decision in a wrong manner at a wrong time. Five years of segregation has proved itself very wrong. Enough of students have been sacrificed. We should not waste another 3-5 years to do our experiments. Of cause when I say this is wrong, I should give my standing on what is best for us.

What I believe.
1. The entrance examination is not wrong in itself. I totally agree that students of good standards only can survive the O Levels. If then, we should not make a school to produce Us in O Level when we know that failure is certain. The failed students should be given a second chance, and students who pass should be divided equally between two secondary schools.

2. The failed students should not be send out of the education system as done before the Islamiyya School was made as a second secondary school in Hithadhoo. They should be taught some work along with the essential studies like Islam, Dhivehi Mathematics and English. This could be possible. Government can use the already existing building of Addu Comprehensive School, where the building is just standing idle.

Now you may wonder if this article will help bring any change. Frankly it will not. Yet, we should be aware that when we say we have such a famous and outstanding school, we need to realize that it is at a high cost. I believe the fame our Muhibbuddin School gets is at too high a price to our society. Too many students are been sacrificed, for the sake of too few students.

At least one day, when the society realize this grave reality and gives a pressure to stakeholders to stop this failed segregation, I will tell the decision makers....I told you. But you chose to take fame and pride at the cost of the whole society.

[I know some will describe me as letting down my atoll or my own school. But I feel the price our society is paying is too high. ]

Mr President. Mind your Language, if not Shut up

I was shocked to see the interview of President on CNN, where he very openly declared that Maldivians are fighting with the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That too according to him are in hundreds, at least few hundreds if not thousands.

This will certainly change how the world looks at our country. I do believe that every action possible should be taken to stop this yet, I do not believe, president should advertise it. Excuse me, if you say democracy, well, then shall we see him announce tomorrow that we are next to Mexico in drugs? Best in Asia in gang fights? It is true that there are few who Maldivians who fight and are involved with Taliban. Yet they are very few. Whether we like it or not, there are people in this country who do not believe in Islam. Will we tomorrow announce our nation as a multi-religious country.

It is better to take solid actions rather than talk and talk. How about a temporary halt to higher education chances in Pakistan if it is so out of control as president described? Moreover, yesterday in the news conference only president was talking about authentic questions. If then why don't president come up with an authentic source of his figures.

Come on. President. Mind your language. If not just shut up.

The wheel is turning backwards... We need to fix soon

Development is what everyone looks forward to. It is the dream of every person, family, society and nation to develop in one way or the other. However, achieving development is easier to be said than done.

Today, when we look at the development of our country, we focus on the roads, harbors, jetties and buildings. To put it in very simple term the infrastructure is what we are most concerned of. However, the reality is that infrastructure is not what all the development is about. It is only one of the pillars to development. Trust me, a single pillar will not hold a nation. We need more. It is sad to see that we are too careless of some of the very important factors for the survival and well being of a nation.

One of the most important factors that is needed for developing a nation is a CIVILIZED CITIZEN in the country. Are we civilized? Are we really civilized to develop and maintain a nation as developed in this 21st century. Though I love my nation, as someone who loves to speak the truth, I'd say we are not yet civilized. At least not enough yet.

1. The most fundamental factor that should be found in a civilized society is respect. The grave reality of today is that respect has become a once upon a time story in Maldives. Rulers don't respect citizens, citizens don't respect rulers. No respect to elders, parents, teachers, doctors, police, nurses, religious scholars and the list can go on. You can make my life easy by showing just one set of people in this country that people respect. None!!!

2. Next thing that we miss is tolerance. This is something I don't see from "top to bottom" in our beloved county. The best example of this could be seen in our Parliament. This is supposed to be one of the most respectable places in the country, yet in simple words our Parliament today is the olden day Vakarugey. Moreover, there is less tolerance in every aspect of our life today. We make anyone who is not agreeing with us a "bad guy", which of cause is not how it should be. We must learn to live with differences in opinion, yet so far we failed to do so, though we claim we are very democratic people.

As we lack these two, the impact that we are faced is enormous. Now that we have already ruined our generation with hatred to our own brother and sisters, and lack of mutual understanding and so many other mistakes, the wost thing that we'd do to our country will be to pass our "dark legacy" to the next generations. I am not saying we did not do anything right. Of cause we did. Yet, my point is that we can not be called as civilized if we pass down our stupidity to our own kids. If we do so, we are not going to see them as responsible citizens. If then, I am afraid the old days of this generation too will be one full of sorrow.

The old government has gone. That was the excuse most gave. Now are we still going to continue with the same fashion as earlier? Are we going to show to the next generation that the solution for every problem is protests? Are we still going to go on calling the respected people of this country by nick names? This is the time that we stop these things and try to be more of civilized type. The nation has already paid a too high cost for a regime change. There is no way we could afford to be destructive to this country than been constructive. What will you get by calling the police or MNDF by nick names. Believe me, you don't get anything. However you teach the kids of today, the bad habit once again. For just one moment, imagine the lessons students of Majiddiyya and Dharumavantha will learn by seeing these acts every time there is a bill discussed in Parliament.

Let me tell you something our Assistant Principal once told in our class while I was in grade 12.
"There are always better and more diplomatic ways of solving problems." I believe this is the message we need to give to our next generation. Not a message of nicknames, protests, and anything that is "anti".

The Bangaalhee Story

"I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me . . . All I ask is that you respect me as a human being." Jackie Robinson.

Its been a while since I last updated the blog. There is something that keeps disturbing me. So thought to share with you all.

Maldives is famous throughout the world as a destination of peace and stability. A heaven on earth. A paradise of white sand. We all, as Maldivians feel happy and proud of it.
However, today I feel that there is something that we kept aside which we should not have.

Bangalhun, the labours, the workers, the garbage takers, the drivers, the plumbers, the wielders etc etc...

I have a question. You want to do something and you couldn't do it. I did it for you. Will you be thankful or will you be harming me?

The very reality is that this is what those Bangalhees are doing. What you could not do!!! Cleaning the junction that you cannot clean, doing the works you'd otherwise hesitate to do. In simple terms, making the impossible in your life to possible. However, its sad to see that our society accepts them as nothing more than animals. Yes, this is the truth. If not all, this is the large percentage.

Forget about the small pay they get compare to the hard work. How many of them are given proper food? How Many of them lives in a single cage? (I said cage not because I forgot the word room, but because that is the proper word). 20? 30? 40? Take a glance at our roads, if we see them, we look at them as though dirty. The harms given to them on roads is clear but always ignored.

Such an interesting part will be seen in our Jumhuree Maidhaan, how we treat them and how we treat the "dhon" tourists. Keep aside the story of Muslim Bangalhees and often non Muslim tourists. We cannot treat them well though they are Muslims. OK. Cant we treat them well because they are humans at least?

As every weekend they sit under the shade of our huge national flag, enjoying its protection, did we once even think that our proud nation gives them nothing more than humiliation even when they are giving us such valuable services.

Please ask one question to yourself. " Did you do your part in dealing them with respect as they are also humans just like you? DID YOU?"



Photo: flickr.com/photos/interstellarburst/2330017892/