British Columbia imposes two-year moratorium on new colleges enrolling international students

PTC News Desk: British Columbia has imposed a two-year ban on new post-secondary institutions seeking to enroll international students in an effort to address issues related to "exploitive practices" within the system. The decision comes as part of the province's initiative to rectify shortcomings in the international education sector, which, according to Post-Secondary Education Minister Selina Robinson, has not been functioning optimally.

Minister Robinson disclosed on Monday that the province initiated an examination of the international education system in March of the previous year. The investigation revealed instances of "poor-quality education, a lack of instructors," and even tactics employed by certain private institutions to deter students from filing formal complaints.

During a press conference, Minister Robinson recounted a specific case where a student from India, whose family had saved money for her education in British Columbia, was misled. Despite being promised in-class instruction, the student found herself placed in online classes upon arrival. Minister Robinson emphasised the need to curb such deceptive practices by "bad actors" within the system.

To further enhance the quality of education for international students, the province has also introduced minimum language requirements for private institutions. Minister Robinson explained that these requirements are aimed at better preparing international students before they arrive in British Columbia. However, specific details about the language requirements will be disclosed in March, as the government is still working on finalizing the specifics.

Out of the 175,000 international post-secondary students in British Columbia, representing more than 150 countries, approximately 54 percent are enrolled in private institutions. The province is home to 280 private schools, with 80 percent of them located in the Lower Mainland. The measures taken by British Columbia reflect a commitment to safeguarding the interests and educational experiences of international students in the region.

Addressing international student concerns and enhancing oversight

In response to concerns raised by international students, British Columbia is taking proactive measures to address issues of exploitation within the education system. Post-Secondary Education Minister Selina Robinson has acknowledged that many students hesitate to lodge complaints due to fears of jeopardising their student visas and undermining the significant efforts made by their families to ensure a quality education.

Minister Robinson has announced an increased focus on school inspections to ensure that educational standards are met. Recognising the vulnerability of international students, she stated, "They worry that if they complain, it will risk their student visa, and it will sacrifice all the effort their families have put into making sure they can get a quality education." To overcome this reluctance, the province is planning a more proactive evaluation system conducted on-site to better support students and address potential issues promptly.

The decision to impose a two-year ban on new enrollments of international students provides the province with an opportunity to comprehensively assess the impact of recent changes, including the federal government's decision to cap study permits over the next two years. Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller indicated that this limit would result in a 35% reduction in new student visas for the current year.

The international student program has experienced significant growth, with a 31% increase to over 800,000 students in 2022 compared to the previous year. This surge has contributed to added strain on Canada's housing market. By implementing a pause and conducting thorough evaluations, British Columbia aims to strike a balance between accommodating international students and ensuring the integrity of its education system.

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Addressing issues in International education system: B.C. premier and federation respond

British Columbia Premier David Eby has emphasised the critical need to rectify issues within the international education system, underscoring its pivotal role as a "cornerstone" in the province's social and economic fabric. Speaking at a media availability in Ottawa, Premier Eby highlighted the uniform expectations for quality across all private institutions, regardless of their size. He acknowledged that certain institutions are currently falling short of these expectations, prompting the province to take corrective measures.

The B.C. Federation of Students, representing over 170,000 individuals enrolled at universities, colleges, and institutes, views the introduced changes as a "good first step." The federation has been raising concerns for several years, particularly regarding the "dire" situation of exploitative international recruitment. Melissa Chirino, chairperson of the federation, stressed the need for student-centric approaches in the next steps, emphasising the protection of international students and addressing potential institutional budget shortfalls without relying excessively on tuition from foreign students.

In response to these concerns, Post-Secondary Education Minister Selina Robinson announced that B.C.'s public post-secondary institutions would be mandated to transparently communicate full tuition costs to international students throughout their entire study duration. Additionally, the province plans to collaborate with public schools to establish clear expectations for maximum international student enrolment levels. This move aims to create a balanced and diverse student body, fostering integration and understanding of Canadian culture.

Robinson expressed concern over instances where entire classes are composed of students from a single province in India, noting that such scenarios hinder opportunities for integration and cultural understanding. To address these issues, the province intends to set new standards for institutions, incorporating higher assessment criteria for degree quality, demonstrated labor-market need for graduates, and sufficient resources and student support.

The pause on new institutions enrolling international students, as announced by Robinson, is slated to last until February 2026. The comprehensive measures underscore the commitment of British Columbia to not only safeguard the interests of international students but also enhance the overall quality and diversity of the province's education system.

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(Inputs from agencies)