Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: The Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal (ECAN) has expressed serious concern over the monitoring, raids, arrests and control activities carried out against various educational consultancies in the country.
Issuing a press release on Sunday, the association has made it clear that the tendency to criminalize the entire educational consultancy sector on the basis of a limited number of incidents is unacceptable.
ECAN has stated that fraud, false assurances, use of fake documents, illegal financial transactions and abuse of trust of students and parents in the name of education sector will not be acceptable under any circumstances. “We have agreed that there should be fair and stern action against the individuals and institutions involved in such activities as per the prevailing laws,” the statement reads.
However, the association has expressed dissatisfaction with the working style adopted by the research and regulatory bodies in recent times. ECAN has stated that the prestige of the legal institution, investment environment and international educational credibility of Nepal will be negatively affected if the entire educational consultancy sector is viewed with suspicion on the basis of some incidents.
The association said that the investigation should be focused on individual responsibility and that it is not appropriate to discredit the entire sector collectively. Calling on the government to demarcate a clear legal boundary between administrative weaknesses and criminal fraud, the NC has suggested taking stern action against those involved in deliberate fraud, human trafficking, forged documents and financial embezzlement by keeping them in the ‘blacklist’.
Similarly, the association has claimed that the practice of conducting a ‘media trial’ by making the name public through the media without substantiating the charges would violate the right to presumption of innocence guaranteed by the constitution.
ECAN has warned that the uncertain regulatory environment has created fear in the investment, entrepreneurship and employment sector, which could affect Nepal’s international academic reputation.
According to the press release, the educational consultancy sector has created around 150,000 direct and indirect jobs in Nepal, has made significant contribution in earning foreign currency and human capital development.
Stating that online and foreign digital educational platforms are out of regulation, the association has urged the government to create a clear legal and policy framework for this sector.
ECAN Secretary General Bhavanath Humagain issued a press release reiterating that anyone who violates the law should be dealt with fairly. “Criminalization of statutory institutions, disregard of digital challenges and devaluation of national contribution to the sector will not be acceptable,” the statement reads, adding that the government is committed to working with the government and stakeholders to make the educational consultancy sector more transparent, accountable and in line with national interest.
