Educational Consultancy Regulations 2083: Businesses Oppose Deposits and Impractical Provisions, Say ‘Regulation Is Acceptable, Control Is Not’
The Independent Educational Consultancy Business Group has organised an information-sharing programme to brief stakeholders and develop a common position on the provisions of the proposed “Educational Consultancy Regulations, 2083 BS,” which are being prepared for implementation.
During the programme, business operators described provisions concerning security deposits, separate deposits for branches, new registration procedures, licence renewal, and building standards as impractical. They conveyed a clear message that the government may regulate businesses but should not control them.
Deepak Gurung, coordinator of the Joint Struggle Committee of Educational Consultancy Businesses and a senior business operator, attended the programme as the chief guest. He said all educational consultancy associations, organisations, and independent business operators were united on the issue.
Presenting the views of independent educational consultancy businesses, Sanjeev Lamsal, who has worked in the sector for around 15 years, alleged that the proposed regulations were intended to displace small and medium-sized businesses.
He presented opposition to the security deposit as a shared agenda, saying that businesses operating transparently were being subjected to a sudden financial burden. He urged the government to regulate the sector but warned that business operators would not remain silent if it attempted to establish a syndicate by imposing impractical provisions such as security deposits, equity fees, and responsibility for students.
He also urged the government to consult experts and move forward only after conducting a practical assessment of the provisions in the regulations.
Shubhani Khanal, a group representative who has worked in the consultancy business for the past five to six years, provided detailed information about discussions held with the Ministry of Education and Sports on behalf of business operators and the government’s preparations.
Businesses have completely opposed the introduction of security deposits in the industry, arguing that the provision would create a syndicate. As an alternative, they have suggested that the government develop the three percent education tax collected from students going abroad into a state protection fund to provide security to students.
The government is preparing to set the licence registration validity period at one year. Businesses have demanded that it be extended to five years. They have also called for a proposal requiring income details to be submitted every three months to be revised so that such details may be submitted annually.
Business operators have demanded that all institutions registered at the provincial level, as well as those undergoing new registration but delayed because of government inaction, be brought under a uniform process.
They have also demanded the removal of the equity fee provision from the regulations and said educational consultancy businesses should not be prohibited from organising education fairs.
Businesses said the proposed regulations do not clearly specify how long consultancies must remain fully responsible for students after sending them abroad. They have demanded a defined time limit, and the government has assured them that clear guidelines will be introduced.
They have also argued that consultancies cannot be graded based on visa outcomes because embassies are responsible for issuing visas. However, the government has clarified that it intends to classify consultancies according to the number of students they send abroad annually and use the grading only to determine security deposit requirements.
The government has also informed businesses that the new regulations will not prevent them from receiving commissions from foreign educational institutions.
Business operators said that, for applications to certain countries other than Australia and the United Kingdom, they are required to retain students’ original documents. They requested the introduction of a consent form or another clear policy governing this practice.
They also demanded that education technology companies operating online be brought under an appropriate registration process and regulatory framework.
Participants suggested that the Nepal government should undertake diplomatic initiatives with foreign embassies regarding student visas and higher education, as done by the prime minister of neighbouring India. They also called for Tribhuvan University equivalency certificates required by students who have completed CTEVT and diploma programmes to study abroad to be made more accessible.
The programme, conducted by Prashant Gautam, also noted that the proposed building standards lacked clarity. Participants were informed that the government had indicated that the standards would not be implemented immediately.
The business operators present concluded that all educational consultants should rise above individual institutional interests, remain united, and move forward collectively to protect the consultancy sector as a whole.
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