Committee Recommendations
Recommendation to Revitalize the College of Language and Culture Studies
The Chairperson of the Social and Cultural Committee, a Member from Khatoed-Laya constituency, submitted the recommendations regarding the College of Language and Culture Studies (CLCS) in Taktse, Trongsa. The Committee had been tasked to review the matter during the preliminary meeting considering the college's important role in educating future generations in Dzongkha language and Bhutanese culture.
Submitting the Committee’s Review Report, the Chairperson reported that despite the college’s capacity to accommodate over 1,000 students, it has not enrolled new students since 2023, and currently has only 248 students in the campus. The committee emphasized the need for immediate action to address this concerning trend, recommending for the retention of the CLCS with revised programs that better reflect the importance of Dzongkha language and Bhutanese culture.
The Committee made the following recommendations:
The introduction of regular Master’s and Ph.D. programs in Dzongkha Language and Cultural Studies;
Strengthening coordination between the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD), Ministry of Home Affairs and the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB);
Streamlining programs offered across similar institutions such as the College of Language and Cultural Studies, the Institute of Science of Mind and the Royal Institute for Performing Arts to avoid duplication.
The Minister for Education and Skills Development acknowledged the importance of CLCS, emphasizing that Bhutan's rich cultural heritage makes the college vital. The Minister clarified that CLCS has not been closed but is in the process of downsizing. Due to fewer student intakes, the resources at the college are underutilized. As a result, the Ministry has decided to repurpose the college, prioritizing job-readiness and expanding employment opportunities. The Minister stated that the Ministry would reconsider the committee’s recommendations and consult with relevant agencies and stakeholders.
Additionally, the Minister for Home Affairs also emphasized that CLCS was not being closed but repurposed for improvement. He reassured that the Ministry would collaborate with MoESD to review the Committee’s recommendations towards improving Dzongkha education.
The House endorsed the recommendations with majority show of hands, and decided to forward the Committee’s recommendations to the Ministry of Education and Skills Development for consideration.
Recommendation on Crime Prevention and Reduction to Make Bhutan a safe Society
The Chairperson of the Women, Children and Youth Committee, a Member from Kengkhar- Weringla presented its recommendation on Crime Prevention and Reduction to make Bhutan a safe Society to the House today, addressing the rising crime rates and associated challenges facing Bhutan. This recommendation follows a thorough review by the Committee, which highlights the urgent need to enhance law enforcement, social reintegration programs, and preventative measures to combat substance abuse, domestic violence, and youth involvement in crime.
The Committee’s findings reveal a concerning upward trend in crime across the country, particularly in areas of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (NDPS), domestic violence, and youth criminality. Despite Bhutan’s reputation for peace and Gross National Happiness, crime statistics show a significant rise, with a notable increase in NDPS-related offenses and youth arrests. The committee emphasized that these issues must be addressed through a more coordinated approach involving various government agencies, civil society organizations, and communities.
Key recommendations included strengthening the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), framing a national alcohol policy, strict enforcement of alcohol regulations, enhanced protection and support for children facing sexual abuse, and the establishment of post-release monitoring programs for youth in conflict with the law. The committee also recommended increasing public awareness on crime, substance abuse, and domestic violence, while providing better economic opportunities to address underlying socio-economic factors contributing to crime.
The House adopted the recommendations with majority show of hands and directed the Ministry for Home Affairs to further discuss and consult with the relevant agencies and stakeholders on the recommendations presented by the Committee.
Recommendation on the Students In-take in Royal University of Bhutan Colleges
The Chairperson of the Social and Cultural Committee, a member of the Khatoed-Laya constituency, submitted the recommendations on the Students In-take in RUB Colleges to the House today.
The Committee Report highlighted the alarming trend of limited access to higher education. The committee's findings revealed that a significant portion of Class XII graduates were left without opportunities for government scholarships or further studies. In 2024, only 35% of students, including those who are under self-financing, were able to enroll in colleges, while the remaining 65% had no access to higher education.
The committee stressed that this shortage of opportunities could have serious implications for Bhutan’s long-term development, particularly in terms of human resource capacity and economic growth. As a result, they recommended an urgent review of the student intake criteria and called for the expansion of enrollment to match the available college capacities. This, they argued, would help ensure that more students could access higher education and contribute to the country’s future development.
During the House deliberation, members expressed support for the committee’s recommendation, agreeing that increasing the intake in RUB colleges would also provide opportunities for students from poorer backgrounds to pursue further education within the country.
The Minister for Education and Skills Development (MoESD) stated that, at present, RUB can only enroll 2,600 students annually. She noted that out of 11 colleges in the country - nine of which are government-owned and two privately owned - only 35% of students are currently enrolled, with 20% benefiting from government scholarships and 15% under self-financing. The minister acknowledged the concern raised by the committee and explained that the vocational training programs were being provided as an alternative. He attributed the limited intake to infrastructure limitations and the need to maintain the quality of education.
Additionally, the Member from the South-Thimphu constituency proposed an additional recommendation for the Ministry of Education and Skills Development to review the situation of arts students from the 2022-2023 academic year who were left without opportunities for further education. The recommendation calls for finding resources and a budget to allow these students to continue their studies. This proposal was endorsed with overwhelming support from the House.
The House has instructed the government to further review the recommendations presented by the committee and to present a report on the findings during the next session.
