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The "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" was adopted with the intent of bringing about a paradigm shift in the way the general population perceives disability. The paper reports the findings of a qualitative inquiry that used a phenomenological approach to discuss the social grievances of persons with disabilities from a human rights-based perspective and in the context of the middle-income small island nation of The Maldives. Fifteen participants with disabilities, as well as carers and parents of children with disabilities, took part in the study. The findings indicated that the environment is physically disabling, and opportunities for participation, including access to quality education, and social protection for people with disabilities, are limited. The findings speak to the need for a shift in the social view that persons with disabilities are dependants to enabling human diversity and facilitating the capabilities of persons with disability, their dignity and meaningful engagement in society. The paper concludes there is a need to explore further approaches to encouraging a shift in society and using a human rights approach to social protection to make progress towards the "Leave No One Behind Agenda of 2030."

Little is known about the relations between principals' effectiveness in specific leadership tasks and student achievement. The purpose of this study is to explore principal task effectiveness, as perceived by principals themselves and their senior management teams (SMTs), and to explore the associations between perceived principal task effectiveness and student achievement. This study employed an exploratory quantitative design using surveys to collect principal and SMT ratings of principal task effectiveness. In addition, grades from secondary school exit examination in Mathematics and English as a Second Language (ESL) were collected from all public secondary schools in the Maldives. An exploratory factor analysis was used to explore principal task dimensions. Hierarchical regressions were used to examine the predictive ability of principal task effectiveness and certain principal characteristics on student achievement. The analysis revealed five leadership task dimensions: School Management, Instructional Management, Teacher Quality, External Relations, and Program Development and Evaluation. The Teacher Quality dimension positively predicted student achievement in ESL. This research highlights the importance of principal task effectiveness and its link to student achievement. The findings have implications for principals' preparation and professional learning.

Purpose: Virtual professional learning communities provide digital platforms for teachers across the globe to join learning networks and engage in continuous and unrestricted learning. This study aimed to explore the impact of contextual factors on establishing virtual professional learning communities in Maldivian schools. Design/methodology/approach: This quantitative study used a sample of 420 Maldivian in-service teachers chosen using two-stage cluster sampling and a stratified random sampling method. Findings: The findings revealed that all three contextual factors-- micro-, meso- and macro-contextual - positively and significantly influenced the virtual professional learning communities. Practical implications: These findings recommend an integrated framework with micro-, meso- and macro-contextual factors as valuable instruments for educational leaders striving to establish virtual Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). Originality/value: This study is among the first to examine the association of contextual factors of schools with the establishment of virtual PLCs in a country such as the Maldives, with geographically dispersed islands and limited resources.

Tropical carbonate systems are valuable archives of paleoenvironments, as the carbonate growth is intimately affected by water depth and climatic conditions. Geochemical data from the Burdigalian interval in IODP Site U1468 in the Maldives, northern Indian Ocean, were integrated with sedimentological and paleontological data for a more detailed reconstruction of depositional history. Generally, the Sr/Ca values of slope sediments record highstand progradation in both sequence unit and whole Burdigalian interval, while the absence of higher Sr/Ca ratio close to the sequence boundary during the early Burdigalian could be related to the erosion of deeper-water sediments due to the activity of bottom current. From 20.5 to 19.1 Ma and from 17.9 to 17.2 Ma, nutrient level and productivity were moderately elevated due to the terrigenous input by the intensified South Asian Proto-Monsoon, which also helped cause more reducing conditions in the distal slope. Moreover, increased nutrient level facilitated the growths of calcareous algae and sponges, while it was not favorable for coral development. The elevated nutrient level, higher sea level, and monsoon-induced current contributed to the backstepping of the outer margin during the late Burdigalian. Our study shows an example on how a tropical carbonate platform evolved in response to the interplay of sea-level and paleoclimatic conditions. Findings are expected to be applicable to other tropical carbonate platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the experiences of three Bangladeshi migrant workers who are the sole inhabitants and custodians of a former Maldivian island resort. We show how they currently remain in a state of indeterminate standby as the future of the resort remains uncertain, put in this state of limbo by the capacity of the resort's owners to exploit their disposability and manipulability. We investigate the rich material and sensory qualities of the island, and investigate the everyday practices that characterize how the men live and work there. First, we illustrate how the island remains haunted by the workers and tourists who formerly inhabited this space, since much of the resort infrastructure remains. Second, we explore how the buildings and things on the island are unevenly intact, in a state of partial ruination. Third, we discuss how the inexpert daily maintenance practices undertaken by the three men focus on certain areas but neglect others. Finally, we emphasize that despite their uncertain future, the men endeavour to create a stable, convivial and pleasurable island home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tobacco use significantly impacts health and economic sectors. In the Maldives, 4 out of 10 men smoke daily, despite anti-tobacco policies. The Maldives Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) shows fluctuating cigarette smoking prevalence among secondary school students: 6.9% (2004), 3.8% (2007), 4.3% (2011), and 4.7% (2019). No studies have investigated smoking prevalence and attitudes toward anti-smoking policies among higher-secondary students in Addu City. This study examines smoking habits, susceptibility, and attitudes toward anti-smoking regulations to support policy development. Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study using a self-administered survey based on the GYTS and the Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS), involving 335 high school students in Addu City. Variables included sociodemographic factors, ever-smokers, current smokers, age at first cigarette, smoking dependency, use of other tobacco products, smoking susceptibility, willingness to quit, and reasons to quit or not smoke. Results with p-values < 0.05 were statistically significant. Results: 22.8% of the students had tried smoking, with 4.74% currently smoking, predominantly males. Additionally, 32.2% had tried e-cigarettes. Smoking susceptibility was 44.2%. Seven students showed smoking dependency, with a significant gender difference (75.4% boys vs 33.3% girls, p < 0.05). Among smokers, 20% wanted to quit, and 70% cited cost as a deterrent. Only 20% of smokers supported a total ban on smoking in media compared to 49.8% of non-smokers (p = 0.03). Non-smokers significantly supported anti-smoking measures (73% vs 12.5% of smokers). Conclusion: Cigarette smoking among high school students in Addu is below the national average, but the high number of ever-smokers and interest in smoking and e-cigarettes suggest potential future increases. Policymakers should enact stronger legislation, enforce age restrictions, raise tobacco taxes, and implement comprehensive smoking cessation programs to address tobacco use effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Island Mass Effect (IME) around the Maldives is responsible for intense blooms with distinct seasonal patterns. These blooms sustain the fishing industry of the archipelagic nation, a vital source of income that occupies about 30% of the population. Through high resolution ocean simulations, we explore the physical processes responsible for the increased productivity and its observed variability, and their sensitivity to changes in land distribution. Year-round the frictional break of the currents in the presence of shallow bathymetry produces a strong vertical shear in the flow that favors vertical mixing, independently of the currents direction. The impact of this mixing is visible at the ocean surface during March and April, when the mixed-layer is shallow and the ocean currents are generally weak. A different mechanism than observed in spring modulates the IME during the monsoon seasons, in both winter and summer, when the zonal currents forced by the strong winds cross the archipelago: the flow accelerates while squeezing between the atolls, giving rise to intense wakes, and strong upwelling originates in the lees in response to the kilometer-scale flow divergence. This upwelling creates an asymmetric cooling signal in the lee of the islands and obfuscates the effects of the enhanced vertical mixing. The land reclamation efforts being planned on some of the islands may undercut the upwelling that drives the blooms during the monsoon seasons.

Filariasis is a very important public health problem endemic in tropical and subtropical countries. It is a debilitating disease with significant socioeconomic burden. In 2016, lymphatic filariasis was successfully eliminated from the Maldives, which was certified by WHO. We report a case of filariasis detected by a rapid antigen test while undergoing a screening program conducted by Health Protection Agency, Maldives in December 2023. The patient was asymptomatic and showed no peripheral blood eosinophilia. Conventional blood smears were negative. Nevertheless, buffy coat smear served as a promising test in detection of parasite, thus confirming the re-emergence of the disease in the country. Therefore, our study highlight the significance of buffy coat smears in detection of hemoparasites. We also focus on the importance of surveillance system in order to sustain the disease elimination goal that was already achieved.

The Objective of this research: Giving an overview of the religions, sects, and ideologies and an overview of its history so that the reader understands how the religious situation in Maldives has evolved, throughout its history since accepting Islam till the present era. The Research Consists of an introduction, a preface which consists of an introduction to the Maldives and definition of religions, sects and ideologies, section one: consists of its religions and sections two: consists of sects and ideologies that have spread therein, and a conclusion. Research Methodology: Descriptive and Inductive Approach Conclusions: The Maldives was practicing Buddhism before they entered to the fold of Islam in 548 A.H, they were influenced by several sects including Mysticism, Asharites, Dawoodi Bohra and now they are all extinct except Asharites. The Portugal and British colonizers tried to convert them to Christianity, but they failed. Contemporary Sects and Ideologies which exists in Maldives include Modern Kharijites, The Sect of Rashad Khalifa, Secularism, Atheism and Feminist Movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change poses one of the greatest contemporary societal threats and is intrinsically linked to the existence of the Maldives. The Munich Security Conference 2024 emphasized the importance of launching an open dialogue to elucidate the intricate relationships between climate change and the pressing threats to global security. With increasing climate risk perception, a devastating impact on people's psyche and mental health, such as lack of motivation, uncertainty and fear, low mood, and depression can be intensified. Therefore, reporting preliminary findings from the current pilot sample is of prime importance in recommending trajectories for a sustainable, climate-resilient community. The current study aims at investigating the nexus between climate change perception, psychological security, and social cohesion among the academic staff in the Maldives. A descriptive, correlational approach was adopted. A sample of 112 academic staff from Maldives National University were recruited to complete the climate change perceptions (CCPs), the Urban Residents Psychological Security (URPS), and rated Neighborhood Cohesion Instrument (NCI). A strong statistically negative significant correlation was found between CCPs and URPS (r = −0.733, p < 0.001) and a moderately negative correlation between CCPs and NCI (r = −0.459, p < 0.001). The unstandardized coefficient (B) was −3.144 for academic experience, indicating that for each year increase in work, the URPS score decreases by 3.144. Participants had a high climate change perception score, and moderate psychological security and social cohesion scores. These preliminary findings call for the Maldives College of Higher Education to enact environmental and disaster education initiatives to create a sustainable, climate-resilient health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even seemingly homogeneous on the surface, the oceans display high environmental heterogeneity across space and time. Indeed, different soft barriers structure the marine environment, which offers an appealing opportunity to study various evolutionary processes such as population differentiation and speciation. Here, we focus on Amphiprion clarkii (Actinopterygii; Perciformes), the most widespread of clownfishes that exhibits the highest colour polymorphism. Clownfishes can only disperse during a short pelagic larval phase before their sedentary adult lifestyle, which might limit connectivity among populations, thus facilitating speciation events. Consequently, the taxonomic status of A. clarkii has been under debate. We used whole‐genome resequencing data of 67 A. clarkii specimens spread across the Indian and Pacific Oceans to characterize the species' population structure, demographic history and colour polymorphism. We found that A. clarkii spread from the Indo‐Pacific Ocean to the Pacific and Indian Oceans following a stepping‐stone dispersal and that gene flow was pervasive throughout its demographic history. Interestingly, colour patterns differed noticeably among the Indonesian populations and the two populations at the extreme of the sampling distribution (i.e. Maldives and New Caledonia), which exhibited more comparable colour patterns despite their geographic and genetic distances. Our study emphasizes how whole‐genome studies can uncover the intricate evolutionary past of wide‐ranging species with diverse phenotypes, shedding light on the complex nature of the species concept paradigm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article connects the political science literature on small states and the historical coverage of trade in the Indian Ocean to identify a remarkable pattern in foreign relations management of Maldivian geopolitics. The long history of interaction with foreign powers since at least the fifteenth century shows how this small state has, historically as well as now vis-à-vis India, China and the Middle East, managed well to retain control and sovereignty as an independent nation. Rich experience in handling the challenges posed by competing geopolitical interests in the wider region partly explains this Maldivian success story. However, this article also brings out the role of constant internal political rivalry within the Maldivian elites. The resulting highly dynamic intersecting pattern identifies how different parties, fractions and certain strong personalities as competing stakeholders constantly attempt to retain or grab power through strategic alliances with foreign powers. Identifying this underlying pattern allows deeper analysis of the unique, literally liquid characteristics of Maldivian geopolitics and similar small-state scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares the characteristics of Chinese and Western island vacation experience. Social network analysis was performed with 30 Chinese travel notes and 30 English travel notes, respectively. The results include: (1) The density and centralization of the Chinese island vacation experience network are lower than those of their Western counterparts; (2) Natural resources, tourism services, and recreational activities are the key dimensions of Chinese and Western island vacation experience, and seven common core experience elements exist; (3) The combination of "seascape-wild animals and plants-people" is preferred by both Chinese and Western tourists. Differences, however, exist between the two groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, the Maldives instituted a transitional justice process to address decades of systematic human rights abuses including the widespread use of arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, and the forced depopulation of entire island communities. While the country's decision to confront its violent past is not unusual, the institution it has established to undertake that task is. Rather than institute a truth and reconciliation commission (TRC), refer cases to its Human Rights Commission, or undertake criminal trials in its domestic judicial system, the Maldives has taken the unprecedented step of establishing a temporary Ombudsperson's Office for Transitional Justice (OTJ). Comparing the OTJ to national human rights institutions and TRCs, this article examines how and why the Maldives' transitional justice process has taken this unusual form. It suggests that the OTJ represents a new attempt to address the full range of human rights abuses, including violations of social and economic rights, perpetrated by repressive regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the 2022 Nekton Maldives Mission, we deployed a variety of platforms (snorkelling, remotely-operated vehicles and manned submersibles) to conduct video surveys of the biodiversity and composition of shallow (< 30 m), mesophotic (30-150 m) and deep-sea (> 150 m) benthos found in the Maldives' central and southern atolls. In total, ~ 80 hrs of stereo-video footage were collected during the benthic transect surveys, which were subsequently processed using annotation software in order to evaluate benthic biodiversity and community composition. Here, we present a photographic guide for the visual, in situ identification of reef benthos encountered, including corals, sponges and other invertebrates that inhabit Maldives' nearshore habitats. We hope that this identification guide will aid future imagery-based surveys or observations of organisms during fieldwork. New information: A total of 283 morphotypes were identified, including those belonging to Octocorallia (61), Scleractinia (57), Porifera (38), Asteroidea (22), Antipatharia (15), Decapoda (13), Hydrozoa (12), Holothuroidea (10), Actiniaria (9), Echinoidea (8), Annelida (6), Chlorophyta (5), Gastropoda (4), Bivalvia (4), Ascidiacea (3), Crinoidea (3), Bryozoa (2), Cyanobacteria (2), Zoantharia (2), Cephalopoda (1), Ceriantharia (1), Corallimorpharia (1), Ctenophora (1), Ophiuroidea (1), Rhodophyta (1) and to an unknown category (1). Out of these, we identified 40 to species level, 120 to genus, 47 to family, 14 to order and suborder, 58 to class and subclass, two to phylum and one was of unknown phylum. This represents the first attempt to catalogue the mesophotic and deep-sea benthic megafaunal diversity in the Maldives using underwater imagery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ockhi was a devastating tropical cyclone that struck parts of Sri Lanka, India, and the Maldives in November 2017. The storm began as a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal and rapidly intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm, causing havoc along its path. Interestingly, Ockhi was a rare storm to have rapid intensification over the Arabian Sea basin during its cyclogenesis stage. In this analysis, we examine the factors that influenced Ockhi's genesis and rapid intensification. It is known that the warm core eddies have a potential role in the rapid intensification of tropical cyclones. However, in our study, it was observed that no warm core eddies were found along the track of tropical cyclone Ockhi during its rapid intensification. Thus, additional atmospheric and oceanic features that contribute to the development and intensification of tropical cyclones have been taken into account. A very high tropical cyclone heat potential of 60–90 kJ cm−2, an exceptionally high sea surface temperature anomaly of above 1–1.5 °C, and a high moist static energy of 340 × 103 J kg−1 or greater were observed to be persisting over the region where the intensification has taken place. The brightness temperature was < 200 K, indicating strong and very deep convective activity over the region of intensification. Along with favourable ocean and atmospheric features such as high tropical cyclone heat potential, sea surface temperature, and moist static energy, the presence of deep convection persisting for a prolonged time can eventually intensify the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Answering Huijbens and Jóhannesson's call to investigate tourist destination development through a relational ontology marked by a vital materialism, this paper focuses on the creation of the Muraka. The Muraka is the underwater villa of the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island—an ultra-luxury resort located in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll. No social scientific research has ever been conducted at underwater hotels. Drawing upon fieldwork at the Muraka—part of a broader project on three underwater hotels (conducted in Singapore, Tanzania, and the Maldives), we aim to contribute original knowledge to more-than-human geographies and tourist studies by bringing attention to the architectural relations that entangle underwater hotels with their environments. In doing so we become attuned to more-than-human lives and create narratives that can help us imagine new relations with the planet both within and beyond the realm of tourist encounters. By focusing in particular on the creation of the Muraka through the lens of the original concept of alloutopia, we contribute to non-representational and more-than-human perspectives on tourism [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Institutions of higher education worldwide were forced to implement emergency remote teaching (ERT) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This scenario presented several issues for university lecturers and students. This study examines the challenges, experiences, and lessons learned by lecturers at a public university in the Maldives when forced to conduct ERT during the pandemic using an exploratory sequential mixed-method. The respondents most frequently cited unreliable internet connection (83.9%) and internet cost (76.8%), while 75% reported difficulty in motivating students and meeting their varied needs (64.3%). Access to technology (66.1%) and performance assessment (62.5%) were also mentioned. Challenges included internet, technology, student support, learning, and evaluation. The lecturers learned new skills during the pandemic, which was a positive outcome. Lastly, they stressed training, assistance, and the crisis readiness of the university. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Suboptimal glycemic control of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) which is defined as having HbA1c greater than 7% is a major public health problem in several countries, including the Maldives. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence and determine factors associated with suboptimal glycemic control among T2DM patients. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional was applied to collect data from T2DM patients who attended public hospitals in the Greater Male’ Region, Maldives where were one of the highest reports of T2DM and suboptimal glycemic control cases in the country between January to March 2023 by a validated questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. Five (5) ml blood specimens were collected to measure the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were employed to determine factors associated with suboptimal glycemic control of T2DM at a significant level of α = 0.05. Results A total of 341 participants were recruited for the study: 65.7% were female, 42.5% were aged 40–60 years, and 42.2% were married. The overall prevalence of suboptimal glycemic control was 50.7%. Ten variables were found to be associated with suboptimal glycemic control in multivariable logistic regression. Those aged 40–60 years (AOR = 3.35, 95% CI = 1.78–6.30), being single (AOR = 2.53, 95% CI = 1.21–5.30), preparation of food using more than three tablespoons of cooking oil (AOR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.46–5.28), preparation of food with more than three tablespoons of sugar (AOR = 2.55, 95% CI = 1.31–4.93), no exercise (AOR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.15–3.61), DM diagnosed with more than twenty years prior (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.34–4.99), obese body mass index (BMI) (AOR = 3.82, 95% CI = 1.75–8.32), high total cholesterol (AOR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.36–4.35), high triglycerides (AOR = 3.43, 95% CI = 1.93–6.11), and high-level stress (AOR = 2.97, 95% CI = 1.48–5.93) were having a greater odds of having suboptimal glycemic control than those who did not have these characteristics. Conclusion A large proportion of T2DM patients in the Greater Male’ Region fail to control their blood glucose. Effective public health interventions should be introduced, especially interventions focused on reducing cooking oil and sugar in daily cooking practices, encouraging regular exercise, and maintaining cholesterol levels, particularly for those diagnosed with diabetes mellitus for more than 20 years prior.

The Maldives commenced its transition to democracy after its first multiparty elections in 2008. This was challenging due to the Maldives being a Muslim nation, its authoritarian legacy of monarchical rule before independence, and by dictatorship after independence. This article analyzes the postindependence rule periods of Ibrahim Nasir and Maumoom Abdul Gayoom, which were akin to one‐man dictatorships. The third autocratic president postindependence, Abdulla Yameen, was an electoral authoritarian as he implemented authoritarian measures in a multi‐party context. I assess if religion provided political legitimacy to these authoritarian leaders or if religion was exploited by leaders to gain political support and civic spaces. Theories of authoritarianism, religious populism, electoral authoritarianism, as well as concepts of the ulema‐state alliance and the rentier state are utilized. In addition to their authoritarian legacy, democratic presidents like Mohamed Nasheed and Mohamed Solih had grappled with politicians' manipulation of religion through political Islam, Islamic nationalism, and fundamentalism to derail democracy by equating it to Westernization. These events resonate with Samuel Huntington's description of the conflict between the West and Islam as a clash of civilizations. Crimes against liberal thinkers by Islamic extremists are an added challenge. There is a real danger of another authoritarian reversal in the Maldives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Religious sentiments have become a potent tool for political elites, altering national identities and citizenship criteria. This manipulation, driven by majoritarian ideologies, has marginalized religious minorities, leading to discrimination, violence, and legal persecution against them. Hindu, Islamic, and Buddhist nationalisms seem to collectively erode secular democracy in South Asia. Moreover, right‐wing populist leaders, notably Modi in India and the Rajapaksas in Sri Lanka, have merged religious nationalism with authoritarian political orientations posing a challenge to democratic foundations and impacting significantly on the dynamics of state and societal relations. This is the context in which this World Affairs 2024 special issue delves into the relationship(s) between religion, politics, and authoritarianism in the South Asian region. It examines the evolving "religion‐politics" nexus or "complex" to explicate the relationship between religion and authoritarianism, particularly with respect to authoritarian governments mobilizing religion as a readily available resource for popular political mobilization, legitimization, and power consolidation. India's BJP employs Hindutva ideology to marginalize minorities, Bangladesh's regime uses Islam for political legitimacy, and Sri Lanka's Sinhala‐Buddhist nationalism fosters exclusionary policies. By fostering social and cultural polarization, this fusion of authoritarianism with religious nationalism poses a serious challenge to the secular state. The articles in this special issue explore these themes comprehensively, delving into the ideological foundations of political decisions and their consequences for marginalized communities. By shedding light on this multifaceted interplay, the collection offers valuable insights into South Asia's sociopolitical landscape, serving as a vital resource for scholars, policy makers, and global observers seeking to understand the region's complex dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: the number of women-owned SMEs in the Maldives has increased as a result of the recent popularity of e-commerce and the Covid-19 pandemic. Thus, the purpose of this study was to describe the entrepreneurial experiences of female entrepreneurs in the Maldives in order to gain an understanding of the various stages of entrepreneurial process. Theoretical approach: the conceptual framework of this research was based theoretically on values derived from entrepreneurial theories and the components and features derived from the existing entrepreneurial process models. Method: this study employed a qualitative methodology, with semi-structured interviews conducted with five established female entrepreneurs. Purposive sampling technique was used to select participants. The data collected were analyzed using thematic analysis method. Results: the study's findings revealed that the conception of the entrepreneurial idea, the first stage of the entrepreneurial process, was primarily inspired by the entrepreneur's passion and hobby. In the second stage, it was discovered that no proper business planning had been completed, and the business was initially self-financed. In the third stage, it was discovered that the majority of entrepreneurs launched their businesses through social media and managed day-to-day operations as a small team. When it came to fourth stage, most of female entrepreneurs preferred both image and financial growth, with the majority of them relying on government funds for further business growth. Conclusion: this research will assist policymakers to gain insight into female entrepreneurs' entrepreneurial experiences and, as a result, in developing effective policies and programs to help them expand their business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the relations between principals' effectiveness in specific leadership tasks and student achievement. The purpose of this study is to explore principal task effectiveness, as perceived by principals themselves and their senior management teams (SMTs), and to explore the associations between perceived principal task effectiveness and student achievement. This study employed an exploratory quantitative design using surveys to collect principal and SMT ratings of principal task effectiveness. In addition, grades from secondary school exit examination in Mathematics and English as a Second Language (ESL) were collected from all public secondary schools in the Maldives. An exploratory factor analysis was used to explore principal task dimensions. Hierarchical regressions were used to examine the predictive ability of principal task effectiveness and certain principal characteristics on student achievement. The analysis revealed five leadership task dimensions: School Management, Instructional Management, Teacher Quality, External Relations, and Program Development and Evaluation. The Teacher Quality dimension positively predicted student achievement in ESL. This research highlights the importance of principal task effectiveness and its link to student achievement. The findings have implications for principals' preparation and professional learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]