President Mohamed Nasheed has visited Maaenboodhoo, Bandidhoo and Rinbudhoo of Dhaalu Atoll today, as part of his tour to some islands of Faafu and Dhaalu Atoll to inform the people on the government’s programmes for the islands.
Addressing the people of Maaenboodhoo and Bandidhoo, the President underscored the importance of providing education as a prerequisite for national development.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to provide quality education in all the islands, he said the objective of the government’s education policy was to ensure that at least 60 percent students passed five subjects in GCE Ordinary Exams.
He said the government has begun to see the fruits of its efforts towards achieving this objective over the past two years.
The President applauded the people of Maaenboodhoo and Bandidhoo, where number of students who passed five subjects in the exams in 2010 increased by 15 and 10 percent respectively compared to 2009.
In both islands, the President also underlined the importance of local council elections to be held on 5 February and stated that this election would disperse the powers centralized in the capital.
In Bandidhoo, where the community relied mostly in fishing, the President said following the government’s decision to open the fishing industry for competition, 5 tonnes of fish today were worth 15 tonnes of fish two years ago.
The President visited Rinbudhoo, later this afternoon.
Meeting the people of Rinbudhoo, the President noted the importance of transportation links between all the other islands in the region to foster Rinbudhoo’s development.
In all three islands, the President spoke on the achievements of the government in delivering its pledges, especially in providing social protection for all.