Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) and Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) students, accompanied with Senior Lecturer Mohamed Shareef, visited the National Museum on 1st and 24 September 2024 as part of an educational initiative aimed at deepening their understanding of Maldivian history, culture, and heritage. The visits provided valuable opportunities for students to engage directly with historical artefacts and museum collections, offering meaningful learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom environment.

Through their exploration of the National Museum’s collections, students gained insights into the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Maldives. The visits highlighted the importance of museums as educational and community learning resources that preserve, interpret, and share the nation’s cultural identity with present and future generations. By engaging with historical objects and cultural exhibits, students were able to develop a greater appreciation of the country’s historical journey, traditions, and cultural values.

The experience also emphasised the significance of integrating local history and cultural heritage into teaching and learning. As future primary and secondary school teachers, students had the opportunity to consider how museum visits and other community-based learning experiences could be incorporated into their teaching practices to make lessons more engaging, relevant, and meaningful. Connecting classroom learning with authentic cultural resources can help learners develop historical awareness, respect for cultural diversity, and a stronger sense of identity and belonging.

The initiative supports SDG 4: Quality Education by promoting experiential learning and providing opportunities to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world cultural resources. It contributes to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by fostering appreciation for the preservation and protection of the Maldives’ cultural heritage. Furthermore, the collaboration between the Faculty of Education and the National Museum reflects SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, demonstrating the value of partnerships between educational institutions and cultural organisations in enriching learning experiences.