Today, GIS embarked on a new journey with the inauguration of the Community Service Programme. We aim to promote the personal, social, and civic development of our students and staff and provide students and staff with experience of working with community-based organizations and individuals.  Under this programme, the school will periodically organize activities to give students the opportunity to participate in  community services. Also, students may do their own individual share of doing a service. This will be monitored by the school and these students’ efforts will be recognized and the number of hours and the services provided will be included in their report cards and school leaving certificates.

As part of the programme, the school is working with a local NGO, BEAM(Biodiversity Education and Awareness Maldives ) who is  working with communities and schools to increase participation to create respect and passion for our living environment.  One of their major areas is working towards protecting our Oceans. In persuing this they have partnered with Parley, a US based NGO working internationally for the Oceans.

The Chief Guest of the ceremony was Mr. Cyrill Gutsch, the  Founder of Parley for the Oceans. In his speech, he highlighted the importance of intercepting the plastic that goes into our oceans, and the role of the sea creatures in sustaining life on Earth,  and congratulated GIS for taking up this mission. The founder members of BEAM, Ms. Shaheena Ali and Mr. Hamdhoon Hameed and members of the PTA Exco also joined in the ceremony. Ms. Shaheena addressed the students and called on all teachers to support the programme and help the students to bring the necessary behavioural change to sustain this programme and make it successful. Principal Mr. Thoha Saleem also addressed the students and on behalf of GIS gave his commitment to work towards helping the community and the Oceans.

Students and staff brought common household plastic and dumped them in the bin (provided by BEAM) which will be kept inside the school from today onwards. Once it is full, it will be collected by BEAM and sent to the US for recycling.

All students, teachers and parents are requested to bring plastic and put them in the bin and do their share to save our reef, our environment and our Oceans.