The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) recently announced the recruitment of resigned regular teachers on a consolidated contract basis.
“The initiative aims to address teacher shortages, maintain education quality, and fill vacancies created by retirements, resignations, and increasing student enrollment,” said MoESD.
However, the decision has drawn criticism from recent graduates and members of the public, who feel sidelined despite passing the Bhutan Civil Service Examination (BCSE).
According to the announcement, teachers who have resigned or teachers residing both within and outside Bhutan can register for recruitment. However, registration does not guarantee an appointment, as selection will be based on subject requirements and the availability of positions. The Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) will determine the final approval.
Concerns from graduates and the public
Several PGDE graduates have expressed dissatisfaction, questioning why fresh graduates and contract teachers were not prioritized. Many argue that new teachers, who have spent years in training but were not selected due to limited RCSC intake, should be considered before inviting those who voluntarily resigned from the profession.
Phub Lham, who ranked within the top 200 under the PGDE category, said that although she ranked within the required slots, candidates who scored higher than her chose the subject she was supposed to take. She said, “I still got through RCSC, but the ministry calling back resigned teachers is ignoring graduates like us.”
Tenzin Namgay, who also appeared and passed BCSE under the PGDE category, shared strong opposition to giving opportunities to resigned teachers. He argued that those who resigned did so after careful consideration and should not be prioritized over fresh graduates.
He also expressed dissatisfaction with the Zhiyog Recruitment System, questioning its effectiveness in ensuring fair opportunities for the graduates. “Why doesn’t the ministry, instead of announcing teacher shortages of one or two positions at a time, announce all the available slots at once?”
The public, particularly on social media platforms, has also raised concerns about the broader issue of youth unemployment, emphasizing that the decision to prioritize resigned teachers over fresh graduates contributes to the ongoing challenge.
Many believe that the government’s focus on re-hiring former teachers overlooks the growing number of young people, especially graduates, who are struggling to find stable employment.
Tshewang Norbu said, “To address the teacher shortage, the ministry should recruit trained teachers who are currently serving as contract teachers. These individuals have already met the required pass percentage for the BCSE, but were not selected due to merit ranking and limited intake. Some are working in different sectors, while others remain unemployed despite spending four years in teacher training colleges.”
Similarly, Harka Mongar emphasized the need to focus on young graduates, stating, “The government should focus on the younger generation who are willing to join and serve the nation. Without giving them opportunities, how will they gain experience? The government should plan for the long term rather than implementing short-term solutions.”
Basalt Rana also questioned why trained teachers who could not get through BCSE were not considered first. “Not getting selected by RCSC doesn’t mean they are incapable in their respective subject matters. Many of them are still unemployed.”
Phuntsho Namgyal said, “Inviting teachers who left the profession back into government roles overlooks the pressing issue of youth unemployment. By prioritizing those who opted out of teaching, the government misses an opportunity to create new positions for fresh graduates.” He added, “This not only stifles career growth for young professionals but also favors experienced teachers over innovative, passionate newcomers, ultimately hindering the dynamism of our education system.”
B. Ed graduates, who have poured years of dedication and hard work into their training, have also shared their frustrations, feeling increasingly sidelined by the MoESD’s decision to prioritize resigned teachers.
Sonam Choden, a recent B. Ed graduate, said, “We’ve spent years dreaming of becoming teachers, but the doors to the classroom remain closed. While some teachers are invited back, we, who are eager to contribute and have the passion to shape young minds, are left waiting.”
BCSE 2024 announced that 272 PGDE and 370 B. Ed slots were available. However, the merit ranking system, which takes into account a variety of factors, such as examination performance and available positions, left many qualified candidates behind. Despite securing top rankings, numerous graduates found themselves excluded due to limited slots or the selection of other candidates in their respective subjects.
Lhamo Choden, another B. Ed graduate, said, “It’s disheartening to see teachers who left the profession getting another chance, while we are left with uncertainty. We aren’t just looking for jobs; we’re seeking purpose, the opportunity to ignite curiosity in our students, and to be part of something bigger than ourselves.”
The unemployed graduates raise questions about long-term planning in the education sector.
MoESD, on its part, is on an all-out drive to enhance the quality of education and ensure that students develop practical skills, critical thinking, and industry-relevant knowledge to thrive in the real world.
The MoESD decided to recruit teachers who resigned given the loss of experienced and skilled teachers in large numbers in the last few years. The hope is that it can get back some good and experienced teachers.
