The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The fees charge for repeat modules and repeat assessments (RM and RA) at colleges under the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) has raised concerns among students.
Many students, especially those already facing financial constraints, are expressing frustration over what they perceive as an unfair and burdensome change.
One of the students under RUB colleges shared that the fee, which is set at Nu 9,300 for some of the courses are bit expensive.
One of the most common concerns raised by students is the sudden introduction of the fee, which came into effect in the 2024 semester.
Prior to this change, students had been under the impression that repeat modules and reassessments would incur no extra charges.
For many, this new financial requirement was a shock, especially considering that they had already discussed academic plans with their families based on the expectation of no fees for RM and RA.
“I felt it was unfair and burdensome because I had already planned my academic journey, thinking that I wouldn’t need to pay extra fees for repeat modules,” said Karma Dorji (Name Changed) who is one the student under RUB college. He added, “Many of us discussed with our parents, saying we wouldn’t have to pay any fees, and now, with this sudden policy change, it feels like a financial burden we were not prepared for.”
The policy to pay fee per module adds significant financial pressure on students, particularly those from low-income families.
Another key issue is the lack of clear communication regarding the implementation of the new fee structure.
Many students were unaware of the policy change until after they had already planned their academic schedules for the semester. In particular, some students are uncertain about whether the new fee policy will apply retroactively to repeat modules taken before the policy’s implementation.
“Students are still unclear about whether the fees apply to repeat modules taken before this semester,” one student explained, “Last time, we were told that we would be informed later about this, but we still haven’t received confirmation.”
This lack of clarity has left students feeling anxious and unsure about how to proceed with their academic plans. Without transparent communication, the students shared that they cannot make informed decisions about their finances or how to approach their repeat modules.
Given the financial strain, the fee policy places on students, many have proposed alternatives that would make the fee structure more manageable.
One of the most common suggestions is to lower the fee for repeat modules. In some of the colleges, several students have proposed reducing the fee by few thousands for RM which would be more affordable for the majority of students.
Sonam Pelki, a student at one of the colleges under the RUB expressed her mixed feelings about the new policy, and she said, “I wish they could lower the price by half, but on the other hand, it motivates me to not fail my papers.”
In contrast, Rika Dorji, another student, found the policy discouraging. “It’s not fair that we have to pay for this. It just demotivates me even more, especially when students are already struggling financially.”
Another suggestion is to implement a tiered fee structure, where the fee for repeat modules is set at a lower rate, reflecting the fact that not all repeat modules require extensive resources. For example, some students have proposed a fee of around Nu 5,000 for repeat modules, based on the cost of each semester’s papers.
One of the students shared that this would be more aligned with the perceived cost of running such modules, especially for courses like B.Sc. Physics, where resources (such as lab equipment) are limited.
Many students feel that it would be fairer if the new fee structure applied only to modules taken after the policy change, with students who had already enrolled in repeat modules prior to this semester being exempt from the fee. This would ensure that students who had planned their academic paths under the old policy would not be unfairly penalized.
Many students rely on external sources of funding, such as family support, scholarships, or loans, to cover the cost of their education. With the unexpected addition of repeat module fees, students are now forced to revise their financial strategies, sometimes leading to stress and confusion.
“For students who come from financially unstable backgrounds, this sudden fee collection can be a huge hindrance,” one student shared, “Not only is it difficult to explain these changes to our parents, but it also affects our ability to focus on academics without worrying about finances.”
“It’s crucial for colleges under RUB to ensure clear communication with students about policy changes, and to consider implementing a fair fee structure that takes into account the varied needs of the student population,” a student, Pema said, “While the new policy aims to cover the costs associated with repeat courses, it is clear that further discussions are needed to ensure the fee structure is both fair and manageable for all students.”
While students understand that universities may need to generate revenue to maintain the quality of education and resources, many believe that a more balanced and transparent approach is required.
They suggested that the fees for repeat modules should be carefully considered, keeping in mind the financial realities of students and their ability to absorb such costs.
