Education Minister says students must be given time to enjoy activities outside academics and develop self-regulated learning habits

Education Minister Dr Ismail Shafeeu has said students must be given time to engage in activities they enjoy, emphasising that balanced development is essential for effective learning. The Minister made the remarks while addressing the Top Achievers 2026 awards ceremony on Saturday.

The Minister said students across all grades need to take greater ownership of their learning. While expressing pride in this year’s results, he urged students to reflect on whether they have reached their fullest potential.  

“I believe we can achieve even better outcomes if we work together. One of the most important points I want to highlight is that students must take greater responsibility for their learning,” Dr Ismail Shafeeu said.

He stressed that students must cultivate stronger intrinsic motivation towards learning. He said that when students take responsibility for their learning, it strengthens their learning attitudes and helps them develop diverse cognitive strategies to understand lessons more effectively.

The Minister said research consistently shows that students who engage in self-regulated learning, taking initiative, reflecting on their progress, and applying metacognitive skills, are more likely to continue learning successfully. Therefore, he said, such practices should be encouraged at every level of schooling.

"މަތީ އަރުތަވެރިންގެ އިނާމު 2025" ދިނުމަށް ބާއްވާ ރަސްމިއްޔާތުގެ ފުރަތަމަ ދަންފަޅިގެ ޝަރަފްވެރި މެހެމާން، ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ އިސްލާމީ ޔުނިވަރސިޓީގެ ވައިސް ޗާންސެލަރ ޑރ.ޢަލީ ޒާހިރު ވަޑައިގަތުން. pic.twitter.com/NKoByxyTN8

— Ministry of Edu, Higher Edu and Skills Development (@MoEdumv) July 11, 2026

The Minister noted that a strong tuition culture has developed in Maldives, with students spending six hours in school and an additional four to six hours in tutoring at home.  

“This is something we must reflect on deeply. Students will need support outside school, but that support must be provided in a way that does not diminish their engagement with lessons taught in school,” Dr Ismail Shafeeu said.

He said students should be encouraged to pay closer attention to classroom instruction, and warned that excessive time spent on tuition can negatively affect students’ health and wellbeing.

The Minister said students must be allowed time for sports, recreation, and activities they enjoy, and should be supported in developing the ability to manage their own time. He added that studies show students who learn independently, through self-directed, inquiry-based, and personalised learning approaches, retain up to 75 percent of information.