Maldives

Languages: Maldivian Dhivehi and English

Religions: Muslim

Government: Republic

Natural hazards: low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise

Environment - current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching

Poverty: Up to 42% of Maldivians live on less than Rf 15 daily (USD 1.17) barely over the international poverty line of USD 1 a day, with 22% subsisting on Rf 10 (USD 0.83).

Exports: Fish and Clothing

Holidays: Ramadan: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, where they spend 30 days fasting.

Prophet's Birthday: As with all Muslims, Maldivians celebrate the Prophet's Birthday. The prophet's Birthday is 12th day of Rabee-ul-Awwal in the Islamic Calendar. Families invite one another to their homes to share the special dishes prepared for the day.

Independence Day: The Independence Day is celebrated on 26th July. The highlight of the day is the official celebrations held in the evening at the Republic Square. The event begins with a march past by the National Security Service and the National Cadet Corps. This is followed by drills, traditional dances and modern drills performed by hundreds of school children in colorful attire. These events are interceded by the passing of floats and processions depicting traditional and modern themes.

Education: The traditional system of education that has evolved for centuries composed of three types of institution: Kiyavaage, Makthab, and Madharsaa. Madharsaa usually expanded the curriculum to include more subjects such as literacy skills. This system deserves credit for the high (93% in 1986) literacy rate of The Maldives. Most of the Makthabs teach the young to read and write Dhivehi and Arabic as well as simple arithmetic. Continuous research in upgrading the curriculum goes on. A new national curriculum for primary and middle schools was designed and introduced in 1984. This curriculum incorporates environmental studies, science, Dhivehi language, mathematics, English language, fine arts, physical education and calligraphy.

Due to shortage of qualified teachers there is an on-going teacher training program conducted under government auspices. President Gayoom has made improving the educational system a priority. He is dedicated to improving education standards, especially at primary and secondary levels to meet the increased manpower needs of the country, and to improve teacher training. New schools continue to be constructed and education expands into the health and sanitation fields as well as in most areas of social development.

A number of English medium schools prepare older students as London GCE '0' level candidates. The Science Education Centre, a government based educational centre, readies students to sit for the London GCE 'A' level examinations. Maintaining an affiliation to a reputed external examination system at secondary level, the Government has most appropriately innovated and introduced a Fisheries Science Program into the secondary school, the subject having been offered at GCE '0' level since 1987.

As is common in other developing nations, students must travel abroad for a higher education in college or university. In their continuing efforts to upgrade the educational standards, the Maldives' government maintains education as a priority.

Medical: The Maldives has recorded significant achievement in human development. The infant mortality rate which was 63 in 1986 is now 30 per 1 000 births and the overall mortality rate which was 17 per five 1000 in 1971 is now five per live 1000. The crude birth rate, which stood at 49 per 1000 in 1985, has fallen to 26 per 1000 in 1996, showing a decline of about 40%. In 1995, the average life expectancy at birth had increased to 70.6 years. This meant about 20 years have been added to the life expectancy of a Maldivian at birth since 1980.

Notable achievements have also been made in the control of communicable diseases. There has been no indigenous case of malaria seen for the past ten years. At the end of 1995, incidence rate of leprosy was 0.1 and the prevalence rate was 0.3 per thousand. Thus, the Maldives is very close to achieve zero transmission status, with respect to leprosy. Tuberculosis, which had a prevalence of 35 cases per thousand in 1974, had declined in 1995 to about 0.66 per 1000. Childhood is almost nil for the past three years due to the high rate of BCG vaccination. By the end of 1996, a total of 57 TB cases were under treatment.

The progress recorded in the field of health is thus quite significant. In order to meet further health targets and provide better health services, the Ministry of Health held discussions in December 1996 to formulate a ten-year health master plan.

Health services in the Maldives are organized and promoted through the Primary health care approach, which emphasizes the overall health needs of the community.

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