New curriculum implementation in Male' schools : teachers perception and challenges / Shaffath Shareef

Abstract:

This study seeks to explore the perceptions of teachers and the challenges they face in implementing the Maldives new national curriculum in key stage two.

The main objectives of this study were to explore the teacher perception and identify how teachers are facing challenges in implementing the new national curriculum of Maldives.
The study was conducted through a qualitative case study approach. A semi-structured interview was used to gather the data required for the study. Three teachers for the study was selected using purposive sampling and the data was analysed using thematic analysis.
The new Curriculum implementation in the Maldives is the biggest shift in the its educational system in more than 30 years. The shift also happened very rapidly and aggressively although consultations on curriculum reform dates back to 2006. Given these facts, this study shows that teachers have an over-all positive outlook on the curriculum reform. However, there are certain challenges and obstacles such as lack of teacher awareness, lack of guidance and support and unavailability of resources. This study finds that there is a missing linkage between government and curriculum developers and teachers. Establishing this link would strengthen the effective and smooth curriculum reform and implementation process. Taking these factors into consideration, it was apparent that there is a huge disconnect between teachers and the new curriculum itself.