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The Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) has warned that colleges could face closure if they fail to ensure student safety and follow institutional norms, following the recent assault case at Norbuling Rigter College (NRC), where a student suffered severe brain injuries after a violent hostel attack.
During the Meet-the-Press session on 8th May 2026 the Education Minister, in response to a question by this reporter, said it is reviewing whether the college followed the required ‘norms and conditions’ expected of a college and indicated that stronger oversight over all colleges may follow.
“We will ensure that the Ministry of Education has more oversight over all the colleges. In case in the future, if such situation happened to arise in any of the colleges, the ministry will take it very seriously. We will take it very seriously, and to the extent that the college may be asked to close down, if they do not follow the certain procedures and follow norms and conditions of colleges,” said Lyonpo Yeezang De Thapa.
The statement comes amid growing scrutiny over student safety and violence at NRC following a series of assault-related incidents covered by The Bhutanese.
Last month, The Bhutanese reported on the brutal hostel assault of a 22-year-old first-year NRC student who suffered severe head injuries, loss of speech, and neurological damage after allegedly being attacked with a metal rod inside his hostel room during the Paro Tshechu holidays (31st March 2026).
According to the family, the victim underwent a six-hour surgery and remained unable to speak properly, communicate normally, or walk independently after the incident.
The family also alleged serious lapses in hostel supervision and campus security, claiming that no hostel warden or security personnel responded immediately despite repeated calls for help.
The incident also reignited concerns surrounding an earlier assault-related case at NRC that was previously covered by The Bhutanese, in which a 19-year-old student reportedly dropped out of college following a violent assault incident (13th September 2025) and its aftermath.
These cases have raised concerns regarding bullying, violence culture, fear among students, and the psychological impact violence are having on campus life.
In response to these violent incidents, the MoESD and the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) expressed deep concerns.
Lyonpo said that RUB had deployed an internal inquiry team and directed NRC to urgently strengthen residential supervision, campus security, mental health support systems, and awareness on university policies and laws.
She said that while NRC functions under RUB’s academic framework, responsibilities related to discipline, campus operations, student safety, and administration rest with the college itself.
Lyonpo said, “RUB maintains a zero-tolerance for violence, harassment, bullying, and any form of misconduct. RUB has emphasized that such incidents have wider implications for student welfare, institutional integrity, and public trust in the higher education system.”
As of now, RUB has directed NRC to implement immediate corrective measures and submit a report within three months.
RUB is reviewing NRC’s systems to strengthen prevention, reporting, and response mechanisms.
All colleges are expected to uphold safe, respectful environments in line with national laws, institutional policies, and established quality standards. Disciplinary issues are addressed by the respective colleges under the RUB Student Code of Conduct, with appeals reviewed by the Office of the Vice Chancellor.
However, RUB will engage with the MoESD to establish clarity on the governance and regulation of private colleges under the National Education Policy 2025. Any further action will be decided thereafter.
The university has further cautioned that failure to ensure a safe environment may result in strict action, including reconsideration of affiliation.
The Royal Bhutan Police has forwarded its investigation report on the latest NRC assault case to Office of Attorney General on 1st May 2026 and the case is yet to be charge sheeted to court.
