Nghe An tightens licensing and management of study abroad consulting services

On the afternoon of January 16, the Department of Education and Training held a conference to summarize study abroad consulting services in Nghe An province in 2024 and provide training on the implementation of Decree 86/2021/ND-CP dated September 25, 2021 and Decree 125/2024/ND-CP dated October 15, 2024 of the Government.

In Nghe An province, there are currently 178 consulting service business units.study abroadhas been granted a Business Operation Certificate. In 2024, the units sent 813 students to study abroad, of which the most were in Japan with 401 people, Korea with 279 people, Taiwan with 112 people. The rest were in the following countries: America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand...

According to the Department of Education and Training, study abroad businesses have been operating in accordance with their Business Registration Certificates. Some units that organize foreign language training and enrichment for students before they go abroad to study have established foreign language centers or have been licensed by the Department to provide training according to regulations.

Besides the achieved results, the business of study abroad consulting services still has limitations, such as some units have not publicly listed at their headquarters, and the electronic information page of the study abroad consulting service business organization is not complete.

Some units no longer operate at the location listed on the certificate licensed by the Department of Education and Training, and have moved locations without reporting to the Department; some units still hang business signs without permission from the Department of Planning and Investment and the Department of Education and Training. Recently, out of 178 licensed units, 67 units have had their licenses revoked due to ineffective operations.

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa - Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training acknowledged the role and results of study abroad consulting business activities of units and enterprises in the area. Thereby, supporting and meeting the diverse learning needs of students. However, in reality, there are also some units that operate in an unhealthy manner, affecting the overall results of the whole province.

From the above reality, the Department's viewpoint is to resolutely and strictly tighten the licensing and management of study abroad consulting businesses, including those that are already operating. In case of violation, the operating license will be revoked.

In the coming time, the Department of Education and Training also requested that organizations providing study abroad consulting services review their legal documents, take note of the expiration date and location of study abroad consulting services according to the decision on granting certificates of registration for study abroad consulting services.

In addition, it is necessary to ensure that the staff directly providing study abroad consultancy meets the standards prescribed in Decree No. 125/2024 - ND/CP of the Prime Minister on investment and operation conditions in the field of education.

The Department also requires units not to provide study abroad consulting in the form of "bridging" through another educational institution, and must have measures to support students studying abroad. Units that organize seminars, provide consulting, and work directly at high schools with foreigners participating must report to the Department of Foreign Affairs and obtain approval from the Provincial People's Committee./.