News Education Ministry directive / controversy Maldives Impact 3.0/10 2 min read

Education Ministry Slammed Over Directive to Stand and Smile for Minister

The Education Ministry faced public criticism after an internal email instructed staff to stand and greet Minister Ismail Shafiu and other senior officials with a smile. The directive, circulated via email, was mocked on social media as authoritarian and outdated. Users on X (formerly Twitter) criticized the move, with some calling it a 'colonial hangover' and 'ableist'. Questions were raised about productivity and the need for such a memo. Neither the Ministry nor Minister Shafiu has officially responded.

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Maldives Republic

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Published

Jul 7, 2025

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📋 Story Brief

The Education Ministry faced public criticism after an internal email instructed staff to stand and greet Minister Ismail Shafiu and other senior officials with a smile. The directive, circulated via email, was mocked on social media as authoritarian and outdated. Users on X (formerly Twitter) criticized the move, with some calling it a 'colonial hangover' and 'ableist'. Questions were raised about productivity and the need for such a memo. Neither the Ministry nor Minister Shafiu has officially responded.

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Focus: Education Ministry Slammed Over Directive to Stand and Smile for Minister

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02:24

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Maldives Republic

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Official government or institutional statement

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