The Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) has said that it will take action against higher education institutions offering online courses without proper authorisation.
In a statement, the MQA said that it received complaints about institutions promoting and conducting programmes without obtaining the required e-learning permission. Online programmes were allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the permit was revoked on April 28, 2022.
Following the revocation, the MQA said that programme accreditation regulations and e-learning guidelines for online courses will be published in the Government Gazette. As such, it said that institutions must now seek MQA permission to conduct online courses or programmes, leading to an increase in applications for such permission.
Furthermore, MQA advised students to ensure that any course they enrol in is registered with the Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, and approved by the authority. It said that the delivery method of the programme should be verified on the qualification's registry on the authority's website. It also said that certificates from unaccredited programmes will not be accepted by the MQA.
Moreover, the MQA said that it will enforce the Programme Accreditation Regulations against institutions that advertise programmes in violation of the authority standards. Online programmes recognised by the MQA in the Maldives can only be conducted after the authority has directly assessed and issued a permit to the higher education institutions.