President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated last night that he would personally investigate the situation of a Maldivian child with Down syndrome who was allegedly refused entry by five separate schools.

The President encountered Fathimath Sara, a young girl with Down syndrome, along with her mother, Fathimath Fairooza Adam, at the ‘Rayyithunge Adu’ program. In the meeting, Fairooza highlighted the various obstacles Sara has encountered in obtaining education and acquiring the assistance required for her comprehensive well-being.

"Initially exploring private schools, five institutions declined to admit Sara from ages one to six, indicating her disability as the reason," Fairooza stated.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu interacts with Fathimath Sara, a young girl with Down syndrome, during the 'Rayyithunge Adu' program. (Foto/Oficina del Presidente)

She also clarified that while numerous schools market themselves as inclusive for children with special needs, they frequently favor students who exhibit higher academic achievements. Even though the family had the resources to pay for private schooling, Sara still faced rejection from these options.

After being turned down by private institutions, Fairooza aimed to enroll Sara in public schools. She expressed worries about the lack of sufficiently trained educators who can offer adequate attention and assistance to students with special needs in the public education system. She urged the President to bolster institutional frameworks and enhance funding in public schools to better support children with disabilities.

Sara is now a fourth-grade pupil at Thaajuddeen School, where Fairooza mentioned she has been achieving positive academic advancements. In addition to the obstacles related to education, Fairooza mentioned the hardships the family encounters in obtaining therapy, appropriate housing, and other vital services necessary for children with disabilities.

In response to the concerns expressed, President Muizzu assured Fairooza that all highlighted issues would be examined thoroughly and promptly.

"This isn't only concerning one particular child or a single family; it's a broader systemic problem." "I want to make certain that our actions are advantageous for all parties concerned and the whole community," the President stated.

He restated his dedication to providing fair access to quality services for every Maldivian citizen. The President expressed gratitude to Fairooza for highlighting the issues and suggesting possible solutions to the difficulties encountered by families in comparable situations.

Worries regarding discrimination and insufficient services and facilities for disabled children remain prevalent in the Maldives, as numerous families advocate for permanent solutions to tackle these institutional deficiencies.