The Ministry of Education two weeks ago ordered two private universities in Kompong Thom province to shut down because the schools were allegedly operating illegally, Ministry of Education officials said.
The Ministry of Education ordered the Maharishi Vedic University and the Scientific Management Institute to close because the two schools had not received permission to open from the ministry, said Pok Than, an Education Ministry secretary of state.
“It is illegal to open a new school without informing the Ministry of Education,” Pok Than said. “I didn’t know when they opened because I have never seen a proposal from the school.”
A representative from the Maharishi Vedic University said that the school has sent the proper paperwork to the Ministry of Education and will remain open as it waits for approval.
According to one provincial official, the school did complete the registration forms but did not send them to the ministry in time.
“We have already seen a proposal [from the school], but they had still opened their school before receiving permission from the ministry,” said Kong Bun Than, third deputy governor of Kompong Thom province. “It is their responsibility.”
Kong Bun Than said the provincial authorities are not involved in closing the school because it is strictly a ministerial matter.
Recently three private universities have opened in Kompong Thom province but only one school—the Angkor City Institute —received permission from the ministry, Kong Bun Than said.
The ministry has only allowed one university in the area to open because it plans to open its own college in the province next year in Prasat Sambor district, Kong Bun said. He added that the school will be inaugurated by Thailand’s Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who frequently visits Cambodia.
One student, who declined to be identified, said the price of tuition in Kompong Thom province will increase if the ministry closes down the universities because there will be no competition among the schools to attract students.
