Law students launch petition against sudden decision requiring in-person examinations!

Law students currently enrolled in online degree programs have begun signing a petition to protest a recent decision by the Bar Council, which mandates physical attendance for examinations in legal studies.

On the 20th of this month, the Bar Council of the Maldives published revised regulations outlining the minimum standards required for law degree programs to ensure and maintain the quality of legal education.

Under the powers vested in the Bar Council by the Legal Profession Act, these newly established standards are mandatory for all institutions providing legal education in the Maldives. Among the changes introduced by the Bar Council are requirements for examinations to be conducted physically, alongside revised standards for English-medium instruction within these courses.

As the new regulations are set to take effect this August, students currently pursuing online legal studies are expressing significant concern. In response, they have launched an online petition calling for a revision of the policy.

Students studying Shariah and Law told RaajjeMV that they initially enrolled in the course because it was offered online. They expressed that sudden changes implemented midway through or near the completion of their studies cause significant difficulties.

However, students enrolling in the new courses stated that they have no complaints or concerns regarding the implementation of these measures.

In the petition, the students highlighted that many among them face significant challenges in physically attending the examination. They further noted that not all students reside in the capital, Malé. The petition emphasized that such abrupt changes cause substantial hardship and called upon the Bar Council to reverse its decision.

Furthermore, the petition asserts that mandating physical examinations is unjust for many students. It highlights that current online examinations already utilize lockdown web browsers and webcams, while requiring strict adherence to established examination protocols. The petition also notes that countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom conduct examinations online, and calls upon the Bar Council to review and reconsider its decision.

By Wednesday evening, more than 200 students had signed the petition. Those currently enrolled in the course expressed their hope that the decision would be overturned in a manner that ensures fairness for all students.