In a move to uphold ethical standards and provide students with exemplary role models, the Maldives Ministry of Education has introduced a comprehensive policy outlining the criteria for selecting honorary guests at school ceremonies.
Historically, guidelines for guest selection were ambiguous. The previous directive, issued on September 8, 2018, lacked specific criteria, leaving schools without clear direction in choosing appropriate figures to grace their events.
The newly unveiled policy mandates that individuals invited to honor school ceremonies must be widely respected within the community and exemplify moral integrity, serving as positive influences for students. Crucially, the policy prohibits individuals currently under investigation or suspicion of criminal activities from participating as honorary guests. Furthermore, those with prior convictions are only eligible if they have completed their sentences at least a decade prior to the event. In a firm stance against child abuse, the policy explicitly bans individuals with any history of such offenses from being considered as guests.
Education Minister Dr. Ismail Shafeeu, who assumed office in November 2023, has officially endorsed this policy, which has been disseminated to all educational institutions. The directive also delineates the protocol for guest selection based on the nature of the event. For ceremonies commemorating official national days, the Ministry will appoint the guest, often selecting from high-ranking officials such as leaders of the government’s three branches, ministers, parliamentarians, or foreign ambassadors. Annual award functions and school anniversaries recognized by the Ministry will also have their guests coordinated accordingly. Conversely, for other school-level events, the responsibility falls upon the school principal or an appointee chosen in consultation with the Ministry.
This initiative reflects the Ministry’s commitment to fostering environments where students are inspired by individuals of commendable character, reinforcing the values of integrity and societal responsibility within the educational landscape.
