08 July 2025
A University of Reading researcher has led a national implementation consultation workshop with key educational stakeholders to transform how mathematics is taught across the Maldives.
Dr Natthapoj Vincent Trakulphadetkrai, Associate Professor of Mathematics Education and founder of MathsThroughStories.org, brought together over 50 teachers, teacher educators, curriculum developers and policy makers to explore his research-based “Maths Through Stories” approach.
Participants included two Deputy Ministers of Education – Dr Fathimath Nishan and Aminath Nazima – as well as a representative of UNICEF Maldives.
The workshop, held on 17 June, was co-facilitated by Dr Úna McCarthy-Fakhry from UNESCO and Dr Cassie Hague from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It was hosted by Maldives National University and funded by Research England's Policy Support Fund.
The workshop focused on how the “Maths Through Stories” approach – Dr Trakulphadetkrai’s research-based, low-cost pedagogy – can be implemented in schools across the Maldives to make mathematics teaching more effective, engaging and accessible for all learners.
Participants engaged in interactive activities, collaborative discussions and action planning, exploring key enablers for and barriers to the approach being adopted nationally.
A Collaborative Action Plan was developed during the workshop and shared with the Ministry of Education, outlining actionable steps towards national implementation.
Key recommendations include integrating the approach into pre-service and in-service teacher education curricula and establishing a pilot national network of Maths Through Stories schools.
“What excites us about Dr Trakulphadetkrai’s Maths Through Stories approach is its strong grounding in research and its potential to bring about impactful transformation in mathematics learning – making it both practical and meaningful,” said Dr Fathimath Nishan, Maldives’ Deputy Minister of Education.
Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice Chancellor of the University of Reading, said:
“We are immensely proud of Dr Trakulphadetkrai's important work bringing innovative mathematics education to the Maldives through his Maths Through Stories approach.
“This workshop, with its high-level engagement of Maldivian educational leaders, exemplifies the University's commitment to research that creates real-world impact, and I look forward to seeing how the project develops.”
More information about the workshop, including photos and videos, can be found on the Maths Through Stories website.
The workshop brought together over 50 key educational stakeholders from across the Maldives, including primary and secondary school teachers, teacher educators, curriculum developers, and policy makers.
Dr. Trakulphadetkrai supporting stakeholders in creating their own short mathematical story picture books.
Photos courtesy of The Maldives National University.
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