DATE: June 2-6, 2024 |
VENUE: H. Meeruma, Violet Magu, Male', Republic of Maldives
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ORGANIZERS: Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) andMaldives National Skills Development Authority (MNSDA), Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, Republic of Maldives |
Introduction
Over the past five decades, the education system in the Maldives has experienced remarkable growth and development, particularly in the realm of primary and secondary education. The country has achieved universalization of primary and secondary education, marking a significant milestone in its educational journey. In alignment with global goals, such as Sustainable Development Goal 4, the Maldives outlined its educational vision through the adoption of the Education Sector Plan (ESP) 2019-2023. This comprehensive plan delineates targets aimed at enhancing access to education and ensuring the delivery of relevant, high-quality education to all students. In a pivotal move towards securing the right to education for every child, the Maldives enacted an Education Act in 2020, which mandates compulsory education for individuals between the ages of 4 and 18. Additionally, the country took strides towards fortifying its higher education landscape with the enactment of the Higher Education Act in 2021. This legislation underscores the commitment to establishing an inclusive higher education system that offers equal opportunities to all Maldivians while fostering the sustainability of educational services.
Despite these commendable achievements, challenges persist, particularly in the realm of higher secondary and vocational education. Statistics reveal that only 45% of students transitioning from lower secondary education proceed to pursue higher secondary education. This disparity contributes to a significant portion of Maldivian youth falling into the category of 'Not in Education, Employment, or Training' (NEET), posing a concerning trend for the nation's socio-economic development. A critical factor contributing to the low enrollment rates in higher secondary and vocational education is the dearth of educational and training opportunities available to youth aged 16 to 18, particularly in the Atolls. Moreover, perceptions within communities, the accessibility of quality training programs, and the perceived national significance of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) further influence the choices made by students.
To address these challenges and foster comprehensive reform within the education sector, there is an imperative need to formulate a robust National Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Policy. Such a policy framework would play a pivotal role in elevating the status and importance accorded to TVET within the national education discourse. The envisioned National TVET Policy would encompass a wide array of components, including a shared vision and mission for TVET education in the Maldives, a framework for curriculum development and quality assurance, strategies for infrastructure development and resource mobilization, provisions for teacher training, mechanisms for industry collaboration, initiatives for lifelong learning and employability enhancement, and frameworks for monitoring and evaluation. By aligning the TVET policy with international best practices and standards, the Maldives aims to enhance the competitiveness of its workforce and elevate the status of its TVET programs on the global stage. Furthermore, the provision of internationally recognized certifications within the Maldivian TVET system would open doors for greater opportunities for Maldivian youth in both domestic and international job markets.
The development of the National TVET Policy represents a collaborative effort between the government of the Maldives and various stakeholders, including educational institutions, industry partners, and international organizations. Through knowledge-sharing, best practices dissemination, and collaborative policy formulation efforts, the program seeks to empower the government of the Maldives in drafting a comprehensive and forward-thinking TVET policy that aligns with the nation's broader educational objectives and aspirations for socio-economic advancement. Thus, CPSC in collaboration with the Maldives National Skills Development Authority, is organizing this in-country program “Development of National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF)” which seeks to provide a discussion space for the representatives from various institutes in the Maldives by establishing and implementing the National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF) stand as a pivotal step towards enhancing national development in the Maldives. Further, by aligning educational standards with industry requirements, promoting skill development, and fostering lifelong learning opportunities, the NVQF not only empowers individuals but also contributes to the socioeconomic growth and prosperity of the nation as a whole. As the NVQF continues to evolve and gain momentum, it will serve as a cornerstone for building a skilled, competitive workforce and driving innovation across diverse sectors, ultimately propelling the Maldives towards a brighter and more prosperous future.
Objectives
The participants are expected to:
- Identify the key components of a national TVET policy;
- Gain insights into the best practices in the well-established TVET systems in other, regions;
- Appreciate the need and importance of a national TVET policy;
- Identify best practices in TVET quality assurance systems and frameworks of member countries;
- Formulate a draft of the national policy on TVET of the Maldives, along with the national framework for TVET
- Develop an action plan to prepare the final draft of the national TVET Policy and I framework.
Expected Outputs and Outcomes
The expected outputs of the program are as follows:
- Technical Analysis for identification of Policy objectives, issues & challenges
- Review the previous Maldives Strategic plan for structuring the upcoming Policy Framework
- Creating Priority Pillars for TVET Policy with Objectives & Guidelines
- An action plan for establishing legal and regulatory structures for policy framework
The Participants are expected to gain more knowledge on the formulation of a national TVET policy for Maldives to meet the development goals of the country. At the end of the training session, the participants should be able to craft the draft of the National TVET policy of Maldives, which will be used as a baseline for their future development of TVET throughout Maldives.
Program/Conference Strategies
To achieve the objectives set forth, the following strategies will be employed in a consultative nature:
Theme Papers & Presentations on the following:
- Special Lecture: Introduction to TVET Policy and its Key Component in Global Perspective
- Presentation 1: Current Status of Maldives TVET system
- Presentation 2: Focus of Maldives TVET System for Future Development
- Presentation 3: Maldives TVET Policy Structure & Policy Formulation Process
- Presentation 4: Review of Sri Lanka & Singapore TVET Policy
- Presentation 5: Review of Philippines & Pakistan TVET Policy
- Presentation 6: Review of Malaysian & India TVET Policy
- Presentation 7: Importance of Qualification Framework in National TVET Policy
- Presentation 8: Introduction to TVET stakeholders and aligning TVET pillars for a successful TVET Policy
- Presentation 9: Governance Methods for Ensuring TVET Policy Validity and Reliability
- Presentation 10: TVET Policy Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms
- Presentation 11: Resource Identification: Infrastructure and Training Needs
- Presentation 12: Capacity Building: Training Educators and Assessors
- Presentation 13: Strengthening Industry Role as Social Partner in TVET Policy from Creation to Implementation
- Presentation 14: Policy Framework: Establishing Legal and Regulatory Structures
- Documentation: Crafting the Draft National TVET Policy of Maldives
Exercises and workshops on the following:
- External Analysis for identifying policy objectives, issues and challenges through Matrices
- Reviewing the Previous Maldives TVET Strategic Plan for Structuring Effective Policy Framework
- Creating Priority Pillars for TVET Policy with Objectives and Guidelines
- Action Plan for Policy Framework: Establishing Legal and Regulatory Structures
Participants' Profile
The program participants will be composed of the following:
- Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, Maldives National Skills Development Authority, Maldives Qualification Authority, TVET Institute CEOs, National Universities and Colleges, Academic Directors, Policy Planning Director Generals, Learning and Development Managers of SoE Training Institutes, Policy level personnel from the concerning Ministries, Vocational sector council members, industry experts and national assessors, and experts in TVET policy formulation. A total of 60-70 participants from the above-mentioned bodies.
Date and Venue
The five-day meeting and workshop shall be held from June 02-06, 2024 at the H. Meerumaa, Violet Magu, Male’, Republic of Maldives.
Facilities Requirements
To conduct the program smoothly, the following facilities are required:
- Laptop computers (preferably participants to bring their laptop)
- Internet Connection (LAN/WAN)
- Audio and Video Equipment
- Flipcharts and large papers (for brainstorming activities)
- Pens/Markers
Program Management and Resource Persons
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Program Schedule
