We will not allow CA to be unfair: Education Minister Shrestha

KATHMANDU: THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021 – Minister for Education, Science and Technology Krishna Gopal Shrestha has said that the problem created by the move of Tribhuvan University to postpone the equivalence of Chartered Accountants (CA) will be solved by holding a meeting of stakeholders immediately.

Minister Shrestha gave such assurance during a meeting with the delegation of Nepal Chartered Accountants Association in his office on Wednesday. Questioning the move of Tribhuvan University to suspend the equivalents being given to CA, Minister Shrestha said, “Immediately after holding a meeting between Tribhuvan University, Nepal Institute of Chartered Accountants, Nepal Chartered Accountants Association and Ministry of Education. I will take the initiative to solve the problem. ‘

The delegation led by the president of the association Ananda Sharma informed that Tribhuvan University has postponed the post-graduate equivalents given to the students who have obtained CA degree and requested Minister Shrestha to take initiative to reverse the decision.

The association said that the students who obtained the CA degree with hard work, patience and diligence were directly impressed by the move of Tribhuvan University. The Tribhuvan University had lodged a complaint with the Minister that the CA was not admitted to the postgraduate school without publishing a single notice and refused to give transcripts and certificates to those who had passed the examination at the time of giving equivalency.

The association complains that due to non-availability of equivalency certificate, the CAs have to be deprived of possible employment opportunities, institutional appointments, higher education and study, research and other opportunities.

‘Chartered accountants around the world are considered experts in the fields of tax, accounting, auditing and finance and the curriculum is designed accordingly. If this profession, which is respected all over the world as an expert, is not treated properly by the state, there is a danger that SIs will go abroad to seek professional respect and social prestige and pursue higher education, ‘the union delegation said in a letter to the education minister.

Although the Tribhuvan University has promised to discuss the educational and academic institutions and their certificates or degrees in accordance with the criteria related to accreditation and equivalence in paragraph 14 of its Organization and Educational Administration Rules 2050, the association has complained that CAs have not been admitted in higher education this academic session.

According to the association, there is an arrangement to give equivalence in international practice by mapping the academic course of chartered accountant education. The Union also briefed the Minister on the bodies providing equivalents between India and the United Kingdom during the meeting.

Stating that the suspension of equivalence has created problems in the further study, employment in the government sector and institutional appointment of CA graduates, the association has requested to make necessary policy arrangements to give equivalence to such students.

The delegation facilitated by Nirja Shrestha included the president of the association Anand Sharma Wagle, vice president Ramesh Kumar Dhital, general secretary Tej Prasad Subedi and member Kunal Kayal.