High Court urges engaging education for bright minds

The High Court has emphasized the need for an education system that ensures exceptionally intelligent students remain engaged in their studies. The court observed that such learners often face boredom when academic content fails to match their intellectual capacity. It has therefore urged the introduction of an educational framework that provides appropriate challenges aligned with their abilities. 

The High Courts remarks were made in a verdict announced yesterday in a case where a student was held back in play school instead of being promoted to baby nursery citing an Education Ministry circular on admitting students into schools.

Although Maldives may not be amongst the most economically or otherwise advanced nations, it must be accepted that this small nation also has in it exceptionally bright students at a global level, the ruling reads. It further pointed out that even at present, there are students achieving exemplary results in the O'Levels and other qualifications. 

"The A'level results are testament to this. So under the State's obligation to work towards advancing children's capabilities to its fullest, in the same manner that the State provides special assistance to students who are required to repeat grades, it has the responsibility to ensure intelligent students do not get bored of their studies, and establish a system which presents appropriate challenges to them, and encourages them to reach their maximum potential," the verdict reads. 

In its verdict, the High Court directed the government to establish, via the Ministry of Education, a system designed to enable highly intelligent students and those whose intellectual capacity exceeds that of their peers to achieve their full potential. 

Instead of relying solely on tests privately conducted by parents, the government needs to establish an equitable framework through clear policies, standards and systems, that can accurately recognize such learners and ensure academic opportunities are aligned with their intellectual levels. 

Although establishing such a system may take time, the High Court called on the State to facilitate learning in this manner for intelligent students at the earliest. 

"While it must be accepted that in some situations, the entire system cannot be altered for a single student, the court believes that Maldives, too, should have in place a system that facilitates the advancement of highly intelligent students," the verdict reads.

The court noted that the Maldives already maintains arrangements to provide special support for children placed in special classes. These measures include assigning additional teachers and ensuring heightened attention to students, in recognition of their particular circumstances. In the case of students that require repeating in grades, meetings are held with parents and they are involved in discussions to shape the educational experience to cater to the child's needs. 

"It appears that the State works to retain children's interest in studies, to introduce innovative measures to sustain interest," the verdict reads. 

The verdict further observed that both State and private schools devote special attention to developmental and psychological challenges faced by children as part of their educational support. 

The verdict was delivered by Judge Dheebanaz Fahmy, with concurring support from Judge Fathimath Faruheeza and Judge Mohamed Shaneez Abdulla.