The Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) has introduced a significant policy change aimed at maintaining the quality of education in the country. As part of their ongoing efforts to ensure academic integrity, MQA has set a new 50% pass requirement for students at higher education institutions. This decision was made to address growing concerns over issues like academic dishonesty, including students hiring others to complete assignments on their behalf.
Addressing the Issue of Academic Dishonesty
One of the main reasons for the policy shift is the increasing cases of students engaging in dishonest practices, such as outsourcing their assignments. This move comes after MQA noted a rise in such incidents, with students seeking outside help to meet academic requirements. The new policy, which was announced in September, is designed to curb this behavior and encourage students to take greater responsibility for their studies.
The amendment to the "Guidelines for Program Accreditation," which was officially released by MQA on Sunday, outlines strict requirements for higher education institutions to follow. The key change is the introduction of a mandatory 50% pass rate for all exams. This means that students must score at least 50% in every exam to successfully complete their courses.
Key Changes to the Accreditation Policy
To ensure fair assessments and minimize academic misconduct, several critical updates have been made to the accreditation guidelines. These updates include:
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Clear Assessment Criteria for Each Program
Each program module or unit must have clearly defined assessment criteria to ensure consistency and fairness in evaluating students’ work. -
Independent Work Requirement
Students will now be required to submit at least one independent piece of work, whether written or otherwise, in each course. -
Supervised Assessments
At least 50% of all assessments must be completed in a supervised, controlled, and timed environment to maintain fairness. These assessments should be free from external assistance. -
No Remote Assignment Completion
To discourage outsourcing, the policy states that no module should allow all assignments to be completed remotely. This ensures that students are actively engaged in their coursework.
Updated Assessment Methods
The revised guidelines also provide a broader range of assessment methods to ensure a more comprehensive evaluation of students’ abilities. These methods include:
- Written examinations using textbooks or notes
- Question-and-answer sessions
- Class presentations
- Oral exams
- One-on-one meetings with supervisors
- Laboratory work
- In-class quizzes
These methods are designed to offer students multiple ways to demonstrate their knowledge and skills while preventing over-reliance on third-party help.
Enforcement of the Higher Education Act
The Higher Education Act, which came into effect in 2021, already imposes fines on both students who hire others to complete their coursework and the individuals or services offering such assistance. Under the act, students who engage in outsourcing face a fine of MVR 5,000, while service providers can be fined MVR 10,000.
Additionally, the act requires educational institutions to implement robust monitoring systems to detect and prevent dishonest practices. Although these provisions are in place, it is worth noting that no formal actions have been taken against offenders as of yet.
