The National Budget Report 2026-2027, presented by the Ministry of Finance (MoF), has placed strong emphasis on social services, with major allocations directed towards health, education, civil service reforms, and youth development through Gyalsung. The health sector has been allocated Nu 12.4 billion (bn), with the report stating that the …

After concerns and challenges raised by Dzongkha Contract Teachers regarding shortened contract terms and the lack of contract extensions, several Dzongkha Regular Contract Teachers (RCTs) with Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) backgrounds have also approached the paper. The teachers voiced that despite possessing the required qualifications and teacher-training backgrounds, …

During the follow-up resolutions of the 36th Session of the National Council (NC), Member of Parliament (MP) Sonam Tenzin from Trashiyangtse, representing the National Council, presented eight recommendations proposed by the NC to the Ministry of Health (MoH) on strengthening the healthcare system. Among these, recommendation eight drew particular attention, …

A 67-year-old man from Canada, Stuart Loewen, passed away on 5th May in Bhutan while cycling along the Trans Bhutan Trail. Stuart reportedly tripped and fell from his bicycle before plunging over the edge of a cliff along the trail.  He was travelling with his guide and two friends when …

The Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) is strengthening its response to substance use among young people through a multi-layered approach that focuses on care, early intervention, and community support.  The initiative is being implemented alongside existing recovery and rehabilitation efforts, including support systems such as the Yarabling Recovery …

People from 19 dzongkhags continue to visit Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital, the country’s only national referral hospital, often leading to congestion and pressure on existing facilities. Despite growing concerns over bed shortages and increasing patient load at the hospital, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has said that the …

As reported by this paper, Classes 9 and 11 were the first to be introduced to the national curriculum aligned with Cambridge Curriculum in March this year. With the transition to the Cambridge-aligned Curriculum, older textbooks were refined. However, the distribution of new printed textbooks could not be completed in …

For the first time, students pursuing Bachelor of Engineering degrees in Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Water Resources Engineering at the College of Science and Technology (CST) will graduate in 2027. The inaugural batch will include 23 graduates in Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering, 15 graduates in Mechanical Engineering, …

When the need was urgent, they were recruited. Now, as talks of a teacher surplus continue to surface, Dzongkha contract teachers say they are being left behind, facing shorter contracts and fading job security. A Dzongkha contract teacher from the south shared that although his contract was supposed to run …

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke are becoming one of the biggest health concerns in Bhutan, with health experts warning that unhealthy lifestyles, poor dietary habits, lack of physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use, stress, and obesity are contributing to the increasing number of cases …