Manadhoo constituency MP Husnee Mubarik has defended the proposed introduction of homeschooling in the Maldives, insisting that the initiative is not intended to keep girls at home or deprive them of formal education.

The remarks come amid criticism from former President Mohamed Nasheed, who has strongly opposed proposed amendments to the Education Act that would introduce homeschooling for students who are unable to attend school due to disabilities or other special circumstances.

Nasheed has described the proposed legislation as a “jariyaa bill,” alleging that it could provide a loophole for parents to keep girls out of school.

Responding to the criticism, Husnee said the proposed amendments are not designed to facilitate the practices alleged by Nasheed. He stressed that homeschooling would not be a system that allows children to be withdrawn from school without appropriate oversight.

“If you believe that children can be indoctrinated with extremist ideologies through homeschooling, why do you not believe that safeguards can be introduced to prevent this?” Husnee said.

He added that the proposed law would outline measures to ensure that children receiving education at home are not exposed to extremist ideologies. Further safeguards could also be established through regulations introduced under the law, he said.

Husnee maintained that the proposed amendments should not be portrayed as a measure that creates opportunities for extremism.

He also accused opposition figures of deliberately portraying the initiative as a threat that could enable girls to be deprived of education in violation of Islamic principles.