A comprehensive three-day training programme titled “Mainstreaming Students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)” was recently held in Malé, Maldives. Organised by the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA), the regional centre of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), in collaboration with the Department of Inclusive Education (DoIE), Ministry of Education (MoE), Maldives, and the Changeinkk Foundation, India, the training equipped educators and policymakers with practical knowledge, tools, and strategies to support inclusive education across the country.

The programme was inaugurated with addresses by Dr Aishath Wadheefa, Minister of State for Education and Dr Fathmath Nishan, Director General, DoIE, followed by a keynote from Dr B. Shadrach, Director, COL-CEMCA. Ms Hafsa Abdulla, Senior Inclusive Education Analyst at DoIE, provided an overview of the training objectives and structure, setting the tone for three days of intensive learning and collaboration.

The first day of the training focused on laying a strong foundation for understanding inclusive school education, including policy and legal perspectives, global best practices, and in-depth sessions on identifying and screening for specific learning disabilities. Participants explored early identification tools and discussed the implications of intersectionality on learning outcomes.

The second day featured a practical school visit to observe current inclusive practices, facilitated by CEMCA and DoIE. This was followed by interactive sessions on classroom interventions, accommodations, and inclusive teaching strategies, designed to both support students with learning struggles and celebrate their strengths.

Day three was dedicated to collective reflection on the current status of inclusive education in the Maldives. Sessions encouraged open dialogue on national challenges and opportunities, and included planning exercises for integrated and sustainable inclusion strategies. Participants also explored the role of technology in enhancing access and support for students with SLDs.

Facilitated by COL-CEMCA experts, Ms Noopur Jhunjhunwala and Ms Aparajita Singh, the sessions provided hands-on guidance on creating inclusive classrooms, developing Individualised Education Plans (IEPs), and utilising evidence-based teaching strategies.

The key outcomes of the training included improved knowledge of identifying learning disabilities, enhanced competencies in classroom inclusion, and a strengthened commitment at the policy level. The event concluded with the announcement of a new COL-CEMCA and Changeinkk course on “Mainstreaming Inclusive Initiatives,” and a closing ceremony featuring testimonials and certificate distribution. This training marked a significant step towards fostering a more inclusive education system in the Maldives, with participants expressing commitment to implementing inclusive strategies in their respective institutions.