Chairman of Mandhoo College, Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra), has said that higher education has become a supermarket where it is still common that people purchase their degree.

Speaking on the "Fala Suruhee" Program on Rajje TV,Ibra said that he hopes that there will be solutions to this issue implemented by the current administration.

Ibra compared acquiring a degree to going to the supermarket and picking out a product from the shelf at various prices saying that there are various people with certifications in their hands without an actual education to go with it. Ibra said that the country will reach a good place in the foreseeable future is this continues to be the case.

The Minister for Higher Education, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan had recently given a newspaper interview saying that he does not believe that this is common practice in Maldives anymore. Ibra expressed his concern over the comments made by the Minister. He reiterated that if the Minister is unaware of the situation, it is the job of other members within the Ministry to inform Dr. Ibrahim Hassan regarding the matter.

The newly appointed CEO of Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA), Dr. Abdul Hannan had recently said in an interview that he does not intend to take strict measures against the issue. Ibra referred to the interview and expressed his concern regarding the comments made by the CEO. Ibra said that the CEO had instead said that he would prefer to solve the issue by opening up a conversation regarding the issue. He said that taking measures against such an issue is not as simple as disciplining and unruly child and that this a matter of straightening our crumbling education system.

Ibra further noted that the reason people went out to cast their votes in the beating sun or rain is so that a change can be brought to many issues. He said that he does hold the current administration responsible to immediately change the issue within a day. He added however, that what concerns him the most is how the issue is addressed by those in charge of tackling it.

He said that the relevant authorities should not be the ones saying that they were not aware of the issue or that they do not intend to take strict measures against it.

Ibra said that there can be no resolution brought to the matter in such a case. He also said that the biggest issue faced by the country is that while there are established laws, rules and regulations, there is no implementation against the people that violate these laws and regulations .