President Dr Mohamed Muizzu officially inaugurated the 2025 Principals’ Conference this morning at CROSSROADS Maldives, where he was warmly welcomed by the Minister of Education, Dr Ismail Shafeeu. The two-day event brings together school principals from across the nation, marking a pivotal step towards strengthening education policy through inclusive dialogue and collaboration.
This year’s conference sees participation from 210 schools representing atolls across the country. In his remarks, Minister Shafeeu highlighted a significant shift in approach from previous years, noting that the 2025 conference actively incorporates input from teachers for the first time. Policy documents have been shared in advance, and recommendations from both teachers and principals are set to be formally presented during the sessions. He explained that “the challenges teachers face—whether in the classroom, within the community, or at the curriculum level—have all been discussed, and their recommendations will be shared as this conference proceeds.” The minister added that the aim is nothing less than a revolutionary transformation of the education sector.
One of the major announcements from the conference was the launch of a nationwide teacher training campaign focused on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into education. Minister Shafeeu confirmed that the Ministry of Education will begin training teachers next year on how to use AI tools across all subjects. He emphasised that “without critical thinking, few students will go on to pursue meaningful paths after finishing school,” adding that teachers must be trained to foster curiosity, creativity, and analytical thinking, with AI tools being a valuable part of that journey. The Ministry has planned professional development programmes, including AI-focused training sessions during Ramadan 2026, aimed at enhancing technical skills and classroom innovation. This aligns with the government’s broader goal of preparing students for a rapidly evolving technological world.
Also inaugurated today was a newly designated student campground at CROSSROADS, the first such facility near Malé in over 15 years. The 3-hectare site, developed under CROSSROADS Maldives’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, features a mosque, first aid room, sleeping quarters, and administrative facilities. Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Shafeeu noted that since the closure of Feydhoo Finolhu for student use nearly eight years ago, there has been a critical shortage of camping grounds near the capital for student activities. He remarked that “uniformed student bodies such as Scouts, Girl Guides, and cadets play a vital role in character development” and emphasised that these new facilities are designed not only for their use but also for broader educational activities.
The grounds will also support field trips for fisheries science students, environmental education programmes, and weekend activities open to both parents and children. The initiative is seen as a key step in providing experiential learning opportunities and fostering practical skills among students.
During the opening ceremony, Minister Shafeeu presented a commemorative plaque to President Muizzu in recognition of his leadership and commitment to the education sector. With a renewed focus on inclusive policy-making, future-ready teaching strategies, and holistic student development, this year’s Principals’ Conference sets a new standard for national education reform in the Maldives.
