Maldivian teachers embark on transformative ALfA training in India

Guided by the “Accelerated Learning for All” (ALfA) pedagogy, the program seeks to enhance teaching practices and improve learning outcomes for students across the Maldives

A group of 130 Maldivian teachers has embarked on a transformative journey as part of the ALfA Pilot Program organized by the Global Education Training Institute (GETI) and hosted by City Montessori School (CMS) in Lucknow, India. Led by the honorable Minister of State for Education in the Maldives, Dr. Abdulla Rasheed Ahmed, this comprehensive training aims to empower educators and revolutionize education in the island nation. Guided by the “Accelerated Learning for All” (ALfA) pedagogy, this program seeks to enhance teaching practices and improve learning outcomes for students across the Maldives

On July 3, 2023, CMS hosted a momentous Literacy Convention at the World Unity Convention Centre (WUCC) in Lucknow. This convention provided a platform for educators, policymakers, and experts to gather and exchange ideas on literacy education. Distinguished guests from various esteemed organizations, including GETI, NITI Aayog, Centre for Education Development (CED), City Montessori School (CMS), and Mentor X Global, warmly welcomed the delegation of Maldivian teachers and members of the National Institute of Education, Maldives led by their Minister of State for Education, Dr. Abdullah Rasheed Ahmed, to this auspicious event.

Following the convention, the Maldivian teachers engaged in a week-long training program facilitated by expert trainers from the Global Education Training Institute (GETI). The training included firsthand witnessing of ALfA classrooms in action, providing the teachers with valuable insights and practical knowledge on implementing ALfA pedagogy. They visited Campuses: Gomti Nagar Ext., Anand Nagar, Aliganj 2 and Chowk for experiencing ALfA implementation. Visits to City International School were done for hands on practical learning as well as several training sessions were conducted by the experts of ALfA. A teacher from Maldives, Ms. Aminath Maldha Faisal, said, “If a student is shy, he/she hesitates in asking the teacher, but easily asks his pair in ALfA. This concept leads with the tagline, leave no one behind, and it makes sure that each child is involved in the classroom and I feel confident to implement it in my school back in Maldives after this training.”

In the closing ceremony of the one-week training, Dr. Abdulla Rasheed Ahmed, honorable Minister of State for Education, Maldives, addressed the crowd and expressed his deepest gratitude to CMS and GETI for the being such warm hosts. He said, “In my previous visits to CIS and some CMS Campuses, after seeing how the students are learning in the classrooms, immediately I recognized the beauty and effectiveness of ALfA, and that is where the idea of teachers from Maldives to visit India to witness ALfA started. He also added, this is the largest group of teachers in the history of Maldives to visit out of the country in one batch for a training."

The ALfA implementation in the Maldives builds upon the partnership between the Maldivian government and the Global Education Training Institute (GETI). This collaboration ensures the successful integration of the ALfA model into various regions of the country, expanding the reach and effectiveness of the ALfA pedagogy. Through prior online sessions and visits, GETI has laid the groundwork for the comprehensive training experience in Lucknow, facilitating the transformation of education in the Maldives.

The ALfA model of education continues to make significant strides in its mission to eradicate illiteracy worldwide. Its adoption by governments across the globe, including its implementation in the Maldives, highlights its potential to revolutionize education and empower learners. The participation of the Maldivian delegation in the Literacy Convention signifies a significant step towards expanding the impact of the ALfA model, fostering collaboration among educators and policymakers, and cultivating a culture of accelerated learning. With the ALfA model’s transformative impact, the Maldives is poised to create inclusive and empowering learning environments for all students.