Training for teachers specialising in the education of students with special needs will commence next month, according to Education Minister Dr Ismail Shafeeu.

Speaking at the Ahaa forum on Monday night, Minister Dr Shafeeu responded to a question submitted via social media regarding the exclusion of children with special needs from schools.

The Minister stated that the Government remained committed to ensuring no child is left behind in the national education system. He acknowledged that although students with special needs are already enrolled in schools, the sector continues to lack adequate resources to support their learning effectively.

He added that there is currently a shortage of approximately 600 teachers who are qualified to work with children requiring special education, and the Ministry is actively working to resolve the issue.

Minister Dr Shafeeu announced that a new training programme would be launched next month to equip teachers with the skills necessary to teach students with special needs. He noted that modern teaching and learning resources would also be procured more comprehensively than before to support inclusive education.

He cited data from the Ministry’s Inclusive Department, indicating that five blind children are currently enrolled in schools across the country. However, he admitted that the available resources to educate these children remain insufficient.

In addition to the new initiative for special education, the Ministry of Education is addressing broader teacher shortages across various subject areas. As part of the National Teacher Training Programme, 135 students were awarded scholarships last year in its initial round.

Recent figures from the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) show that more than 4,700 children under the age of 18 are registered as persons with disabilities. The most common classification is multiple disabilities, followed by children in need of psychological support.