The State Minister for Education, Higher Education and Skills Development, Ahmed Shafeeu warned the Parliament that completely restricting online learning would be counter‑productive and would deny many Maldivians their right to education.
Speaking during a sit-down with the Parliamentary Secondary Legislation Committee, State Minister Shafeeu argued that the education system must evolve in tandem with modern technological shifts, noting that limiting learning to a single format would disproportionately affect students living on the archipelago’s dispersed islands, where physical institutions are scarce.
He highlighted that as Maldivians increasingly rely on online platforms for services ranging from banking to health care, the same digital infrastructure should be harnessed for academic pursuits.
“I believe it is a good thing if many Maldivian citizens get the opportunity to earn a diploma or a degree through such paths,” he asserted, adding that critics who claim the current system lags behind contemporary needs overlook the potential of flexible, distance‑based education.
The State Minister also pointed out administrative advantages of virtual learning, observing that monitoring student progress, tracking instructional delivery, and managing interactions are more streamlined in an online environment. He stressed that, regardless of discipline, graduates must still meet rigorous competency benchmarks before certification, and that relevant authorities continually review course quality to uphold established standards.
Efforts are already underway, he noted, to revise guidelines for online and blended learning modalities, ensuring they remain aligned with global best practices while addressing local realities.