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The Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) has been questioned over discrepancies in school policies regarding students returning from rehabilitation programs. While some schools accept these students, others either deny re-enrollment or expel them, sparking concerns over fairness and consistency in the education system.
To which the MoESD Minister, Yeezang De Thapa, said, “The National Education Policy 2024 aims to create an inclusive, flexible, and equitable education system. However, the ministry acknowledges that schools retain some autonomy in determining their admission processes, particularly when handling disciplinary and rehabilitation cases.”
“While every school is expected to support the reintegration of rehabilitated students, the ability to do so varies based on the school’s resources. Specifically, schools may not have the capacity to provide specialized support, such as access to counselors, which is often necessary for students recovering from substance abuse or other challenges,” the MoESD Minister further added.
To address these challenges, the Women and Children Division and the Career Education and Counselling Division under the Department of Education Programs, in collaboration with the PEMA Secretariat, regularly facilitate the admission of children from difficult circumstances, including those returning from rehabilitation.
In line with the School Discipline Framework of 2022, schools are required to admit students who wish to continue their education, even if they are returning from rehabilitation. However, the MoESD also recognizes that reintegrating students who have been through rehabilitation requires more than just academic support.
Lyonpo said, “To address these needs, the MoESD is establishing a Recovery School in Kanglung, which is expected to be about a month away from being ready to accommodate students. The Ministry is working with the PEMA and the RBP to identify which students should attend the school. Currently, there are about 400 students apprehended by the RBP, and 1,500 are registered by counselors. Careful consideration will be given to which level of students should go to the Recovery School, with the process to be completed in about two months.”
This specialized school will offer a structured rehabilitation program and academic education, ensuring that students receive both the care and education they need for successful reintegration.
In addition, underage youth who come into conflict with the law are rehabilitated at the Youth Development and Rehabilitation Centre in Tshimalakha, Chukha, which is managed by the Royal Bhutan Police. The center provides structured skill development and continuing education programs to help these youth reintegrate into society with productive skills.
MoESD also emphasized that every child in Bhutan is guaranteed school admission, including those who may need to repeat a grade. Additionally, the ministry is strengthening vocational education pathways to support students who may not be academically inclined but excel in technical or skill-based fields.
The Prime Minister said while principals have the responsibility to improve the quality of education, they also have the autonomy to make decisions regarding student admissions and expulsions.
This autonomy should allow school principals to determine whether to admit students who have faced disciplinary issues or struggled with substance abuse.
“However, if we make it compulsory for schools to re-admit rehabilitated students or those who have struggled with drug use, and problems arise as a result, we must think carefully about the consequences. As the minister mentioned earlier, principals have been given the freedom and responsibility to enhance the quality of education. With that responsibility, they should also have the autonomy to decide whether to keep an irresponsible student, a drug or alcohol user, a fighter, or an undisciplined student or to re-admit an expelled student.”
“If, despite having this autonomy, a principal fails to deliver results, then we must address the issue with them. But if the results are there, then it is a job well done. If many students do not get admission, including those who have struggled with drug use, we will look into how such cases should be handled. However, the key point is that principals must have the authority and autonomy to decide whether to accept rehabilitated students because they are responsible for improving the quality of education in schools. They will not be able to do so if we impose a mandatory requirement to accept them,” the Prime Minister said.
