Maryam Azra Ahmed

Commission Member

Ms Maryam Azra Ahmed was appointed a Member of the Human Rights Commission on 27th November 2006. She had served the education sector for several years and holds a Masters Degree from the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.

Azra was among the first batch of School Heads trained in the United Kingdom from Maldives. She studied at Moray House College of Education in Edinburgh for two years in Education and Management after which she served the Education Sector as a Headmistress for a period of eight years in various atoll schools. Among them are the Atoll Education Centres in Seenu Hithadhoo, Alifu Dhaalu Mahibadhoo and Meemu Muli.

Azra had her primary and secondary education at Aminiya School after which she served the Department of Finance prior to joining the education sector.

She had held various posts in the Educational Development Centre (EDC), which is the professional wing of the Ministry of Education. During her tenure at the EDC, she was involved in coordinating various educational projects assisted by UNICEF, UNESCO, ISESCO, British Council, VSO and other international organisations. Her main area of work was in the development of the National Curriculum for Social Studies and in the preparation of educational materials for Social Studies. She also fulfilled the task of coordinating the National Symposium on Primary Curriculum Review in May 1999, which was a unique venture at that time, bringing together consultations with representatives from a wide range of fields including private and government sectors. Her last post at the EDC was as Curriculum Developer Coordinator, initially coordinating the activities of the Curriculum Unit and finally, overseeing all activities of the EDC, giving professional and administrative support to the various professional Units of the Centre.

Her last post in the Government was as Head of the Department of Public Examination which is mandated to administer, coordinate and conduct International and Local Examinations.

She has had extensive experience and exposure to international educational settings and practices by participating in different seminars, meetings, and workshops in various countries.

Azra is married and has three children.