Bridging the Learning Gap: Oala's Mission in Nurturing a Love for Dhivehi and Building a Brighter Future for the Maldives

At Oala, we believe in the power of language to shape minds, build communities, and preserve cultural heritage. We also recognize the vital role education plays in addressing socio-economic challenges and empowering future generations. That's why we've created a unique platform that blends the charisma of the Dhivehi language with the excitement of STEAM learning, fostering a love for learning and equipping children with the skills and knowledge they need for their future.

The Dhivehi Language: A Cultural Treasure

Language is more than just a means of communication; it's a window into our culture, our history, and our identity. Language is a "cultural tool" that transmits knowledge, traditions, and values across generations. For a small island nation like the Maldives, with its unique linguistic and cultural heritage, preserving and promoting Dhivehi is essential. Yet, we see a growing disconnect between children and their native tongue. The allure of globalized media and the increasing dominance of English often overshadow the richness and beauty of Dhivehi. This disconnect can lead to a loss of cultural identity and a missed opportunity to tap into the wealth of knowledge embedded within Dhivehi literature and traditions.

Oala's Approach: Sparking Curiosity and Igniting a Passion for Learning

At Oala, we believe that learning should be fun, engaging, and relevant to children's lives (learner centric). That's why we've created an app that offers a gateway to a world of exciting Dhivehi content, designed to spark curiosity and make learning an adventure.

Through interactive stories, games, and activities, children can explore the magic of Dhivehi while developing essential skills for the future. We subtly weave in elements of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), making learning a multi-sensory experience that caters to different learning styles. Embedded in our approach are applications of learning theories and instructional design frameworks to foster inclusivity and differentiation to meet the diverse needs of learners. We use positive reinforcement, such as rewards and badges, to motivate children and celebrate their achievements, while presenting information in ways that is easy to understand and remember, building on children's existing knowledge and encouraging them to connect new concepts with what they already know.

By combining these theories, and technological advancements in gamification and project-based learning, we create an immersive and enjoyable learning environment where children can discover the wonders of Dhivehi and STEAM subjects without even realizing they're learning!

Addressing Socio-Economic Challenges

We also recognize the urgent need to address the socio-economic challenges facing the Maldives. The high NEET rate and skills mismatch among the workforce are concerning trends that require a long-term focus on education and skills development.

Oala's approach is to lay the foundation for 'understanding and transfer' by designing content and material resources that provides 'real world' scenarios where ever possible. We believe that learning is valuable only if learners can apply/transfer what they learnt in one context to another.

Our STEAM-based activities and project-based learning approach not only develop essential skills but also encourage children to take ownership of their learning and become active problem-solvers. This fosters a sense of agency and prepares them for the collaborative work environments of the future.

Our Commitment to Continuous Improvement

At Oala, we are a small but dedicated team, passionate about making a difference in the lives of Maldivian children. We are constantly learning, growing, and refining our approach to ensure that we provide the best possible learning experience.

We believe that by working together – parents, educators, and the community – we can create a brighter future for the Maldives. Oala is our contribution to this effort, and we invite you to join us on this journey of learning, discovery, and empowerment.