he study trip to Islamabad, Pakistan, held from February 17 to 22, has successfully concluded as part of the SIPCA (Scaling Impact of a Play-Based Child-to-Child Approach to Make Pre-school to Primary School Transition Fun and Inclusive) project. The initiative, led by the Islamic University of Maldives, is funded by the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (#GPEKIX) and the International Development Research Center (#IDRC).

A delegation of 51 participants, including teachers from 10 Maldivian schools, senior officials from the Ministry of Education, and representatives from partner countries Sri Lanka and Pakistan, attended the trip. Over six days, the group visited 16 schools in Islamabad to observe the implementation of the Child-to-Child (CTC) model.

Participants gained hands-on experience in the CTC approach, engaging with school management, classroom teachers, and students. They explored how the model fosters collaboration between older and younger students, while also examining the strategies, challenges, and techniques employed in its execution.

This study trip is viewed as a significant step in supporting the Maldivian education system, particularly in identifying and addressing the challenges children face when transitioning from preschool to primary school.