The Government of the Maldives, as to the Maldives National Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Strategy (2000), basing itself on the principle that the healthy foundation of psychosocial, emotional and cognitive development must be laid in the first five years of life, together with UNICEF and Save Children’s Life onlus, started a pilot scheme to build some Early Childhood Development Centers in the Maldives.

 

The Ministry of Education in Maldives is sending a delegation of teachers and trainers in Italy, from the 13th to the 19 November, with the purpose to observe and assimilate the main characteristics of the Italian school system, above all as far as the structures for children, to adapt and set them up in their islands.

 

With the purpose to carry on the post-tsunami reconstruction, involving all the aspects of reality in the Maldives, the Ministry of Education want to explore the teaching methods of other countries, to draw useful hints to reorganize the local school system.

 

Italy is the ideal country for those who want to explore this field: the Italian school system offers a great deal of excellent methods, which are recognized, copied and applied all over the world.

For sure, one of the outstanding names in this field is Maria Montessori and her method, but there are many other examples, as important and valid as that one.

 

Save Children’s Life onlus will take around in this educational trip the Maldivian delegation, introducing to them two outstanding examples in Italy: Reggio Emilia and its renowned Malaguzzi International Center and Turin, with the schools of the Sisters of Saint Anne, without forgetting the municipal realities.

 

The teachers and the trainers will have the occasion to observe closely the structures and the programmes, and to talk with their Italian correspondents to exchange ideas, suggestions and information. A small piece of Italy entering the Maldives, through innovative school methods, and new conceptions of childhood and new methods to build up relationships amongst adults and children.
Maldives Projects