The Ministry of Education is set to mark this year’s Children’s Day with a large-scale celebration across five key locations in the Greater Malé area.

In previous years, Children’s Day celebrations were largely confined to individual schools. However, the Ministry now plans to bring schools in the capital together for joint events. The events will take place at Hulhumalé Central Park, Muhyiddin School, Rasfannu, Henveiru Stadium, and Republic Square.

State Minister of Education Hussain Saeed Mohamed said the decision reflects a broader vision for how Children’s Day should be observed. While schools have consistently organised vibrant celebrations, the Ministry now wants to move beyond the traditional approach of simply giving gifts to children and instead focus on engaging both children and their families through a range of meaningful activities.

To ensure wide participation, schools in the Malé area will be divided into groups, with each group assigned to one of the five celebration zones. The Ministry noted that the same spirit of activities typically held in schools, such as games, performances and educational segments, will be carried over into these larger events.

At the same time, schools across the country will continue to celebrate the day with support from the Ministry. These school-level activities will include special assemblies and programmes aimed at educating students about their rights and the nation’s vision for their future. The Ministry emphasised that all activities, whether held at public venues or in schools, have been carefully planned to ensure they do not interfere with classroom hours.

International Children’s Day is observed annually on May 10.