Education Minister warns of action against medical colleges charging exorbitant fees

KATHMANDU: Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Devendra Paudel, has said that action would be taken against proprietors of medical colleges charging higher fees than that determined by the Medical Education Commission. 

Minister Paudel, along with Chief District Officer of Bhaktapur, Rudra Devi Sharma, inspected Bhaktapur-based Kathmandu Medical College on Thursday following the complaint that the college has been charging high fees. 

On the occasion, he said that the medical colleges could not take extra fees than the fee determined as per Article 18 of the Medical Education Act-2018. 

Minister Paudel challenged the college principal Ratindra Nath Shrestha to prove at the talks table that they have not charged high fees, otherwise action would be taken as per the law. 

The Minister also directed the college to present a report regarding the fees till tomorrow, said Minister Paudel's Press Coordinator, Bimal Khadka.

Minister Paudel directed the college administration to hold talks with students and guardians at the District Administration Office at 10:00 am tomorrow.

Similarly, CDO Sharma has called on the college administration and students at 10:30 am on Friday for talks. Students have been protesting the high fees holding demonstrations and padlocking the college from Wednesday. 

The Education Ministry on Wednesday had warned to cancel the affiliation of the medical colleges taking high fees from students.