Conference Proceeding Paper for ‗IIUM Graduate Conference on Youth Activism 2011‘ April 15, 2011 1 Role of School Education on Positive Youth Development and Activism: A Study from Maldivian Teachers’ Perception Ahmed Mohamed * 2011 Abstract Youth activism in societal change is a mirror image of ‗positive youth development‘. The youth participation and engagement in civic activities in Maldives, is crucial to anticipate the social, economical and political development of the island nation with Muslim population. The youth population of the county is defined between the age of 18-34, consisting nearly one third of the population. Thus, expansion of formal school education needs to enhance voluntarism and activism among Maldivian generations. In this paper, the role of school education on youth development and activism is explored via Maldivian teachers‘ perception by conducting semi-structured interviews with five qualified teachers, and surveying 30 teachers from various schools of the country. Youth accompanying competence, confidence, connection, character, caring and contributions are vital elements for healthy youth development. Based on this theoretical implication, engaging students in school activities would encourage these characters towards their activism, now and then. Hence, the perception of teachers would unmask the role of schooling on this ground. The data was analysed by using both qualitative and quantitative analysis methods, since a mixed method approach was used. The results indicate that meaningful pedagogical activity, co-curricular activities, and school environment have a positive effect on positive youth development and activism which reflects the six Cs mentioned. However, the maximum potential of activism and participation are emerged from combined role of education, and parental support. These results provide basic evidence that formal school education contributes to youth development and activism, and it would have a positive influence to minimise social issues. Keywords: Positive Youth development, five Cs, Youth activism, formal school education * Ahmed Mohamed is a Postgraduate Student in University of Malaya, who is currently doing Masters in Educational Management; and he has been teaching ‗Biology‘ from 2005 onwards in Secondary Schools in Maldives. He was Member of School Management Team (SMT) of ‗Noonu Atoll Education Centre‘ (NAEC), and Principal of ‗Manhalul Qur‘an‘ (Qur‘an Institute) in 2010. He served as a Student Member of ‗College Council‘ and ‗Academic Board‘ of the ‗Maldives College of Higher Education‘ (MCHE), and also a Member of ‗Maldives Youth Parliament‘ (MYP) in 2008-2009.