Formal in-service teacher training was launched in 1980 to cater for the urgent training needs of the teachers as it is crucial for improving the standard of education in Maldives.

The professional Development Unit strives to provide the required professional skills for teachers both trained and untrained as well as upgrading the content level of the primary teachers trained in Dhivehi medium. It also trains supervisors in primary schools so that they can contribute to improving teaching and learning and creating a conducive learning environment in schools in the Maldives.

Professional Development Unit Mandates:

 §  Identify individual school needs to enable them to   mprove teaching     and learning across the country.

§  Provide appropriate opportunities for professional development support to meet the needs and demands of the primary, secondary and higher secondary schools.

§  Develop teacher training modules on various areas of professional development that can be used for short courses and workshops.

§  Facilitate implementation of formal and informal education programmes in the school through effective supervision and school management.

§ Develop and implement bridging programmes to enable Dhivehi medium trained teachers to improve their subject knowledge.

§  Develop educational resources to be utilized in the in service teacher training programmes with a view to enhancing teaching and learning.

§  Provide feedback to the curriculum development unit as part of planning and evaluation cycle to facilitate the development of curriculum resources.

§  Evaluate and research the effectives and usefulness of the professional development programmes conducted by the unit through different modalities.