MDP MP seeks tougher penalties for fake academic certificates

An opposition lawmaker has submitted a proposal to the People's Majlis calling for the use and forgery of fake academic certificates to be treated as a more serious criminal offence.

The proposal was submitted on Wednesday by Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

In a letter addressed to Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Mohamed Ibrahim requested that senior officials of the Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) be summoned before the relevant parliamentary committee.

He said the committee should examine the MQA's role in monitoring the quality of higher education and training services and identify any challenges affecting its work.

In his submission, the MP argued that the increasing use of forged certificates, unverified qualifications and qualifications issued by unaccredited institutions was affecting both the education sector and the wider community.

He said obtaining qualifications without acquiring the required knowledge and skills undermines confidence in the education system and the labour market.

The proposal identifies several areas of concern, including declining academic and technical standards, reduced confidence among employers in academic qualifications and potential effects on international recognition of qualifications issued in the Maldives.

Mohamed Ibrahim also proposed a number of legal and administrative measures.

These include amendments to the Higher Education and Training Act, increased penalties for certificate forgery and granting the MQA stronger enforcement powers.

Under the current law, offences relating to forged qualifications carry prison sentences of between one and two years and fines of up to MVR 10,000.

The proposal also recommends establishing a national registry of verified academic qualifications, introducing online verification systems for employers and educational institutions, maintaining an up-to-date public register of accredited institutions and courses, and using technologies such as blockchain and QR codes to verify certificates.

In addition, the proposal calls for the public disclosure of institutions found to have issued fraudulent certificates and individuals found to have obtained them unlawfully.

The Maldives Police Service has previously said it is investigating a number of cases involving forged academic certificates submitted to obtain employment or admission to higher education programmes.

MQA Chief Executive Officer Maryam Fizana Rashid has also previously stated that individuals had secured employment in sectors requiring professional qualifications by using fraudulent academic documents.