KATHMANDU: The government led by Balendra Shah has approved a 100-point governance reform agenda in its first Cabinet meeting, but the plan notably excludes regulation of colleges affiliated with foreign universities, an issue that has remained controversial for years.
The omission has raised concerns about whether the government is overlooking a critical sector tied to the credibility and quality of Nepal’s education system. For years, questions have been raised about dozens of colleges operating in violation of set standards under the guise of foreign affiliations, with calls for stricter regulation and action against non-compliant institutions.
Despite expectations that a strong government would address long-pending and contentious issues, often ignored due to political instability, the absence of this agenda item has fueled skepticism about the government’s intent to reform the education sector.
A study committee formed during the tenure of former education minister Bidya Bhattarai, led by Prof. Binil Aryal, had highlighted serious irregularities among colleges affiliated with foreign universities.
The committee report found that many such colleges failed to provide mandated scholarships, did not include courses on Nepal’s social and cultural context, and neglected to submit annual academic calendars to the ministry. It also pointed to widespread issues such as underqualified teaching staff, lack of institutional ownership of land, and inadequate infrastructure, including playgrounds, laboratories, libraries, and sanitation facilities.
Further concerns included irregularities in credit transfer systems, lateral entry provisions, and the credibility of partner universities. Based on its findings, the committee had recommended a range of mandatory reforms covering legal compliance, affiliation standards, student admissions, record-keeping, and scholarship provisions.
Bhattarai had previously stated that her push for reforms in the education sector, including regulation of consultancies, private schools, and foreign-affiliated colleges, led to mounting pressure and ultimately her resignation, hinting at resistance from vested interests within the sector.
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