Maldives’ ‘Telikilaas’ wins regional award for educational innovation

The ‘Telikilaas’ program conducted by Education Ministry to broadcast lessons to thousands of students in Maldives amid the COVID-19 pandemic has been conferred the UNESCO Wenhui Award for educational innovation in Asia Pacific region.

The Wenhui Award was jointly created by the UNESCO Asia Pacific Program of Educational Innovation for Development (APEID) and the National Commission of the People’s Republic of China for UNESCO in 2010, to recognize and reward individuals or institutions that have made outstanding contributions to educational innovation in the Asia Pacific region.

This year’s Wenhui Award was themed “Educational Innovation in Response to Pandemic and Other Emergencies”.

The Maldives Education Ministry launched the ‘Telikilaas’ program – which literally translates to tele-class – on March 15, 2020, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of schools. The program was launched in an effort to ensure the education of thousands of students in Maldives goes uninterrupted.

Under the program, teachers broadcasted lessons to students through PSM’s Munnaaru channel, YES TV, and Dhivehi Channel.

In addition to being recognized for educational innovation, the ‘Telekilaas’ program has also won a USD 20,000 cash prize.

Education Ministry attributed the success of the program to the creativity, innovative vision and hard work of management and teachers of schools in Maldives.

Education Ministry also expressed appreciation for the contribution of parents in ensuring their children have access to the lessons.