Call for regulations governing education consultants

The Government should introduce a control body as well as rules and regulations to govern education consultants who advise students going abroad for studies since the acts of bogus agents bring disrepute to the country and to genuine agents engaged in it as a profession, said educational consultant Preethiraj Weeraratne.

A pioneer in the industry who started sending students to foreign universities way back in 1983 said that there are many factors to consider before going to an education consultant.

He said students should not be duped by fancy advertisements but they should check the credentials of the consultant before committing funds.

The education consultant should be knowledgeable so that he is in a position to advise students who come to him and also get references from friends. Most importantly they should discuss it among the family before committing funds.

“Check the credentials of the university as well since sponsor licenses of most of the private colleges in UK were cancelled recently. If the College doesn’t have a sponsor license they can’t enrol overseas students and if they don’t conform to the rules and regulations laid down by the UK educational authorities their sponsor licenses are cancelled,” he advises.

Weeraratne said: “Don’t look for short cuts - first complete the Advanced Level examination and then according to the preferences seek admission to a reputed university or do a professional exam.

The credits of diplomas and two year courses cannot be transferred to recognised universities therefore first complete your Advanced Level examination.” The British High Commission is not denying visas for genuine students with original documents and don’t ever produce fraudulent educational or financing documents as visas will be denied or cancelled.

If a student is found to have produced fraudulent documents at the British embassy a 10 year ban is imposed while other embassies blacklist the said person.

“Therefore you will never be able to apply for a visa within that time frame. In such instances please don’t come to me or any other reputed consultant as we are not in a position to help students who have produced fraudulent documents.

In addition if you don’t take proper documents even if you have a valid visa you can be deported.” In the event students don’t have necessary funds to fulfill the dream of getting qualified abroad they can get a loan from a bank.

“Don’t be overjoyed by seeing advertisements saying that a sponsor will also be found as this is the latest method of swindling money from innocent students and vanishing for good.”

He said students going to Singapore are not permitted to work by law while in other countries in some cities you are unable to get part time employment. If a student is taking a loan this factor too should be considered.

“Entry clearance officers/Visa officers are not bad people they are performing their duty and if a visa is rejected the only people to be blamed is the applicant and the agent.”

He says that permitting foreign universities to open campuses here is a viable solution so that they have a responsibility to maintain the standards and most importantly valuable foreign exchange can be saved within the country.

In this instance Sri Lanka can even attract students from India, Maldives and African countries.