In a significant move aimed at enhancing academic integrity, the Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) has announced a policy change requiring students at higher education institutions to achieve a minimum 50 percent pass rate in all examinations to pass their courses.

This decision comes amid rising concerns about academic dishonesty, particularly the hiring of individuals to complete assignments on behalf of students. MQA CEO Fizana Rasheed addressed these issues in an interview with state media PSM, emphasizing that the authority has frequently received reports about students outsourcing their academic work.

To combat this trend, the MQA has mandated that all students must obtain at least a 50 percent score in their exams to successfully complete a course. The decision follows discussions with heads of higher education institutions and is expected to be formally announced soon.

The policy aligns with the Higher Education Act, which took effect in 2021 and imposes penalties on both students who engage in this practice and those who provide such services. Under the Act, students face fines of MVR 5,000, while service providers could incur fines of MVR 10,000. However, to date, no actions have been taken against offenders.

Additionally, the Act mandates educational institutions to develop robust monitoring systems to prevent academic misconduct, allowing them to take proactive measures beyond mere fines. The MQA's new policy represents a concerted effort to uphold educational standards and integrity in the Maldives.