Ecan Expresses Concern Over Monitoring of Educational Consultancies

Kathmandu. The Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal (Ecan) has expressed its serious concern over the ongoing monitoring, raids, detentions, and control activities against various educational consultancies. In a press release issued on Sunday, the association clarified that the tendency to criminalize the entire educational consultancy sector based on a few isolated incidents is unacceptable. Ecan stated its support for strict and impartial action according to prevailing laws against individuals or organizations involved in fraud, false assurances, use of fake documents, illegal financial transactions, and abuse of trust by students and guardians in the name of education. However, Ecan expressed serious concern over the recent working style of investigative and regulatory bodies. The association stated that viewing the entire sector with suspicion based on a few incidents negatively impacts the reputation of legitimate institutions, the investment environment, and Nepal's international educational credibility. Ecan Chairman Laxman Poudel (Andrew) said that the government is intimidating consultants in the name of monitoring using police and administration. He stated, 'Those who do wrong should be brought under the legal framework, but the entire consultancy business should not be tarnished. Such detentions of businesspeople will have a wrong impact on the entire business and the general public, so the government and police administration need to be careful about this matter.' Ecan mentioned that investigations should be focused on individual responsibility, and the style of collectively defaming the entire industry is not acceptable. It also demanded that the government clearly distinguish between administrative weaknesses and criminal fraud. According to the association, serious crimes like intentional fraud, human trafficking, document forgery, and financial irregularities should be blacklisted and strictly punished, but administrative errors need to be viewed differently with opportunities for correction. The association also claimed that the practice of publicizing names through the media and conducting media trials before guilt is proven violates the right to presumption of innocence guaranteed by the constitution. Ecan stated that the uncertain regulatory environment has created fear in investment, entrepreneurship, and employment sectors, warning that this could also affect Nepal's international educational reputation and global educational credibility. The press release claimed that the educational consultancy sector has created approximately 150,000 direct and indirect jobs in Nepal and has made significant contributions to foreign exchange earnings and human capital development. The association demanded that the government create a clear legal and policy framework for this sector, noting that online and foreign digital educational platforms are unregulated. In the press release issued by General Secretary Bhavnath Humagain, it was reiterated that anyone violating the law should be dealt with impartially, and the criminalization of legitimate institutions, neglect of digital challenges, and devaluation of the sector's contribution are unacceptable. The association also stated its commitment to making the educational consultancy sector transparent, accountable, and conducive to national interests by collaborating with the government and stakeholders.