IDP Australia operating 'illegally' in Nepal

Education consultancies have claimed that the IDP Australia has been operating illegally in Nepal.

Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal (ECAN), Nepal Educational Consultants’ Association (NECA) and Nepal Association of Australian Education Representative (NAAER) have said that IDP Australia, whose Indian subsidiary, IDP Planet EDU, opened its branch in Nepal last month, is not authorised to conduct IELTS Tests and counselling service.

ECAN has said that Planet EDU has not been authorised by the Ministry of Education to conduct IELTS tests in Nepal. It also said that the company would risk the future students aspiring to pursue their studies abroad.

ECAN president Uttam Prasad Pant said that complaints have already been lodged to concerned government authorities to stop the operation of the said company. He informed that the ECAN was preparing to legally challenge the Australian firm's operation in Nepal.

He said any international organisation related to education is required to get authorisation from the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Commerce to operate in Nepal.

The British Council, IDP IELTS Australia and University of Cambridge ESOL Examination are the only agencies authorised to conduct IELTS tests.

IDP Planet EDU is operating in the name of Nepal Education & Research Services P. Ltd, a company registered by one Nirmal Kumar Shrestha, which is permitted only to conduct IELTS classes.

“The IDP Planet EDU issue is not only raised in Nepal but another Educational Consultancy Body in India named Association of Australian Education Representative in India (AAERI) is also raising similar issues there. Now it has become a global issue and there is a danger that the actions of IDP IELTS Australia and Planet EDU might give negative impact to the Australian Education in Asia and other countries,” ECAN stated. nepalnews.com Oct 09 07