Law students protest change mandating physical attendance for examinations

Law students in the Maldives have launched a petition expressing strong concerns over the Bar Council’s recent decision requiring examinations for legal degree programmes to require physical attendance.

The Bar Council introduced amendments to the “Minimum Standards for Legal Education” last Monday, with the aim of improving and maintaining the quality of law degree programmes. In addition to introducing mandatory in-person examinations, the revised standards include changes to the requirements for English-medium instruction. The new regulations are scheduled to come into effect in August this year.

Following the announcement, Shariah and Law students initiated an online petition opposing the change. The petition, launched by students of Villa College, highlights the logistical and personal difficulties faced by many students in attending examination centres physically and calls on the Bar Council to reconsider the decision.

According to the petition, the requirement for in-person examinations could create unfair challenges for a significant number of students. The students noted that many are pursuing their studies while working full-time, while others live on islands located far from designated examination centres, making physical attendance difficult.

The students further stated that existing online examination procedures, which include the use of lockdown browsers, webcams, and strict invigilation measures, are already effective in maintaining academic integrity. They also pointed out that leading legal education systems in countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom continue to provide online examination options.

The petition, which has already received more than 100 signatures, calls on the Bar Council to reconsider the decision and develop a more inclusive approach that addresses the needs of all students.

The Bar Council, which has the legal mandate to approve law programs and establish minimum educational standards for entry into the legal profession, has maintained that the amendments are necessary measures to strengthen the quality of legal education and improve the professional capabilities of future lawyers.