The Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) will no longer recognise programmes offered by 101 higher education centres that have failed to register with the Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development.

In a statement, MQA said that under the Maldives Higher Education Bill, all higher education centres must be registered with the Ministry to operate. The Ministry has shared a list of 101 centres that have not completed their re-registration process.

Under Article 21(b) of the Bill, MQA will no longer recognise any programmes previously authorised by these institutions that are not listed in the Ministry's official Registry of Colleges and Institutes.

The Higher Education Bill, which came into effect in 2021, established MQA as an independent body responsible for quality assurance of post-secondary qualifications. The legislation aims to ensure equal educational opportunities for all Maldivians while maintaining quality standards in higher education institutions.