𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

…𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕

By Lhendup Wangmo

The Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD), in partnership with the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC), revealed ambitious plans to establish the National Teaching Service (NTS) by 2025. This pivotal initiative is designed to professionalize the teaching profession in Bhutan and provide the Ministry with enhanced flexibility in managing the teaching workforce within the civil service.

The framework of the NTS will introduce a well-structured pathway for contract teachers to transition into regular positions. Under the proposed NTS model, contract teachers will be required to complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), delivered through a blended learning approach, and successfully pass the Teaching Service Eligibility Test (TSET).

These steps are essential in ensuring that teachers meet the national competency standards, thereby strengthening the quality of education in the country. The introduction of these requirements will raise the bar for teaching professionals, ensuring that they are well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of Bhutan’s education system.

Lyonpo Yeezang De Thapa said that the implementation of the NTS will be phased, starting in 2025. This gradual approach will allow contract teachers to undergo the necessary training and assessments while ensuring that schools experience minimal disruption. The phased rollout will also provide the flexibility needed to evaluate the impact of the NTS framework and make adjustments as necessary.

To tackle the ongoing teacher shortage, the Minister is working closely with the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) to better align teacher training programs with the national demand for educators. This collaboration will ensure that Bhutan’s teacher preparation programs are responsive to the specific needs of the education system and adequately address regional disparities. Additionally, efforts are being made to streamline recruitment and development processes within the Ministry to enhance efficiency and ensure that teachers are distributed equitably across the country.

The creation of the NTS is part of a broader strategy to strengthen Bhutan’s education system by cultivating a well-trained, motivated, and capable teaching workforce. These efforts aim to provide teachers with clear career advancement opportunities, enhance their professional development, and address teacher shortages, thereby ensuring that all students in Bhutan have access to high-quality education.

Minister Yeezang De Thapa is committed to developing an education system that is both inclusive and effective, ensuring that all learners across the nation benefit from quality instruction regardless of their location or background.