Petition to Bar Council of Maldives
Change The Physical Examination Rule
Decision Makers:
Bar Council of Maldives
We ask the Bar Council Of Maldives to change the physical examination rule for Bachelor’s of Shariah & Law students from Villa College and allow online examinations for students who cannot reasonably travel to an island where the college has an established campus.
We began this course with the hope of receiving the same quality of education available to students living in the greater male’ area, and to students with the financial capacity to study without having to work while pursuing higher education. From the start, we were told how important academic integrity is and how closely our online exams would be monitored. We also received extensive training sessions and refresher training sessions for online examinations.
Even with those safeguards, the new physical exam requirement is unfair to many of us. Some students do not have the means to take exams physically because they cannot get paid time off from work, and many of us already work to support our education. For students from different islands, travel adds another burden that is not practical or affordable.
We do not believe online exams give us an unfair advantage. We are already required to use lockdown browsers, webcams, and invigilation rules. At any time, we may be asked to turn our cameras to show our surroundings. We are not given extended time, and students are not allowed to join once another student has left, as per university rules.
We respect that legal professionals should meet the highest standards of ethics and conduct. But that standard does not require in-person examinations. Many established institutions in countries like Australia and the United Kingdom allow remote study and online exams.
We ask the Bar Council Of Maldives to review this issue carefully, carry out any investigations needed, and make a fair decision that does not harm currently enrolled students.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
July 30, 2026
This Petition Is Signed by:
July 28, 2026
This petition is signed by students from Law programs all over Maldives & citizens who would like to support our cause of not implementing this rule retrospectively.
Reached 250 supporters
July 22, 2026
This Petition is Signed by Students of Villa, Avid & Zikuraa College
July 22, 2026
petition is signed by those enrolled in Online Law programs across Villa, Avid & Zikuraa College
Reached 100 supporters
July 22, 2026
UPDATED CONCERNS
July 22, 2026
Many of us are pursuing this degree under the government’s National Free Degree Scheme. Under the existing policies of this scheme, if a student is forced to discontinue their studies mid-course due to impractical requirements like this new physical examination rule, the student becomes legally and financially liable to repay the government for all tuition fees incurred up to that point. This places an unfair financial burden and a massive debt on young citizens who simply wanted to better their education while working. A regulatory decision by the Bar Council should not inadvertently push vulnerable, hard-working students into a crippling financial trap and debt. Would also like to add that this petition has been signed by students from Zikuraa College, Villa College and Avid College
132 Comments
I am currently a Year3, Final Semester LL.B. student at Avid College. I enrolled in this programme with the understanding that examinations would be conducted online and have completed almost the entire course under that system. Changing the examination method at the final stage places an unexpected financial and logistical burden on me and many other students,especially those living in the islands. I respectfully request that the new physical examination requirement apply only to future batches
Alhugandaky massaiykaiy kuraa thanuge sababun eh rashun aneh rashah dhathuru kuraa faraatheh kamun physically test hedhumaky alhugandah v undhagoo kameh.
At first I did face to face course, but due to living expenses and travel expenses it couldn't work out, so I dropped out. but then I've started studying because we can do it online, even if we have to go to male' just to do the exam, it is a lot of payments, the travel, the rent of the room I need to take, and everyday we would have to go male' and then come back. So if the exams could be done online it would really be appropriated.
I am a law degree student and I am half way to completion of my degree. I live in an island so it will be extremely difficult for me to travel every semester for exams.
I am a law student. I live in an island so it will be extremely difficult for me to travel every semester for exams.
"I enrolled in this course based on the college's explicit assurance that it would be conducted entirely online. Therefore, changing the mode of delivery midway through the program is completely unacceptable
Personal
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Petition to Bar Council of Maldives
Change The Physical Examination Rule
Decision Makers:
Bar Council of Maldives
We ask the Bar Council Of Maldives to change the physical examination rule for Bachelor’s of Shariah & Law students from Villa College and allow online examinations for students who cannot reasonably travel to an island where the college has an established campus.
We began this course with the hope of receiving the same quality of education available to students living in the greater male’ area, and to students with the financial capacity to study without having to work while pursuing higher education. From the start, we were told how important academic integrity is and how closely our online exams would be monitored. We also received extensive training sessions and refresher training sessions for online examinations.
Even with those safeguards, the new physical exam requirement is unfair to many of us. Some students do not have the means to take exams physically because they cannot get paid time off from work, and many of us already work to support our education. For students from different islands, travel adds another burden that is not practical or affordable.
We do not believe online exams give us an unfair advantage. We are already required to use lockdown browsers, webcams, and invigilation rules. At any time, we may be asked to turn our cameras to show our surroundings. We are not given extended time, and students are not allowed to join once another student has left, as per university rules.
We respect that legal professionals should meet the highest standards of ethics and conduct. But that standard does not require in-person examinations. Many established institutions in countries like Australia and the United Kingdom allow remote study and online exams.
We ask the Bar Council Of Maldives to review this issue carefully, carry out any investigations needed, and make a fair decision that does not harm currently enrolled students.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
July 30, 2026
This Petition Is Signed by:
July 28, 2026
This petition is signed by students from Law programs all over Maldives & citizens who would like to support our cause of not implementing this rule retrospectively.
Reached 250 supporters
July 22, 2026
This Petition is Signed by Students of Villa, Avid & Zikuraa College
July 22, 2026
petition is signed by those enrolled in Online Law programs across Villa, Avid & Zikuraa College
Reached 100 supporters
July 22, 2026
UPDATED CONCERNS
July 22, 2026
Many of us are pursuing this degree under the government’s National Free Degree Scheme. Under the existing policies of this scheme, if a student is forced to discontinue their studies mid-course due to impractical requirements like this new physical examination rule, the student becomes legally and financially liable to repay the government for all tuition fees incurred up to that point. This places an unfair financial burden and a massive debt on young citizens who simply wanted to better their education while working. A regulatory decision by the Bar Council should not inadvertently push vulnerable, hard-working students into a crippling financial trap and debt. Would also like to add that this petition has been signed by students from Zikuraa College, Villa College and Avid College
132 Comments
As a working student from the islands, mandatory face-to-face examinations create significant financial and professional hardship, with travel to Malé costing over MVR 15,000 and requiring leave from work. I enrolled because the programme was fully online and relied on that arrangement. This policy disproportionately disadvantages island students, limiting equal access to higher education. If changes are necessary, they should apply only to future intakes.
I am currently a Year3, Final Semester LL.B. student at Avid College. I enrolled in this programme with the understanding that examinations would be conducted online and have completed almost the entire course under that system. Changing the examination method at the final stage places an unexpected financial and logistical burden on me and many other students,especially those living in the islands. I respectfully request that the new physical examination requirement apply only to future batches
Alhugandaky massaiykaiy kuraa thanuge sababun eh rashun aneh rashah dhathuru kuraa faraatheh kamun physically test hedhumaky alhugandah v undhagoo kameh.
At first I did face to face course, but due to living expenses and travel expenses it couldn't work out, so I dropped out. but then I've started studying because we can do it online, even if we have to go to male' just to do the exam, it is a lot of payments, the travel, the rent of the room I need to take, and everyday we would have to go male' and then come back. So if the exams could be done online it would really be appropriated.
I am a law degree student and I am half way to completion of my degree. I live in an island so it will be extremely difficult for me to travel every semester for exams.
I am a law student. I live in an island so it will be extremely difficult for me to travel every semester for exams.
"I enrolled in this course based on the college's explicit assurance that it would be conducted entirely online. Therefore, changing the mode of delivery midway through the program is completely unacceptable
Personal
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As a working student from the islands, mandatory face-to-face examinations create significant financial and professional hardship, with travel to Malé costing over MVR 15,000 and requiring leave from work. I enrolled because the programme was fully online and relied on that arrangement. This policy disproportionately disadvantages island students, limiting equal access to higher education. If changes are necessary, they should apply only to future intakes.