From the civil service, the financial sector and the tourism industry, the country is undergoing a major transformation. If everything goes as planned, these reforms are expected to create better economic opportunities for the Bhutanese within the country so that the youth do not have to travel abroad. Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering said this while meeting with the teachers of Authso Central School in Lhuentse last week.
A teacher from Autsho Central School asked the Prime Minister about the government’s stand on the rising number of teachers resigning from their profession and going to Australia for further studies. As per the Annual Education Statistics 2021, more than 300 teachers left the profession during the year. And nearly 2,000 resigned over the past six years.
The Prime Minister said the government is concerned about the rising number of Bhutanese youth leaving abroad every year. However, he added that the government cannot stop individuals from looking for better opportunities.
“Nothing surprising but it is a little concerning for the policymakers like us. His Majesty The King is also concerned about it. We feel that a large number of Bhutanese are living abroad. The number seems quite high this year since many Bhutanese could not go abroad over the last two years. It is not true and also too early to mention that the number has gone up a lot this year,” said the Prime Minister.
Lyonchhen said the transformation and reforms in education, civil and public service and other sectors will create better opportunities for young people. However, he said it would take a few years for the reforms to yield the expected outcome.
“In fact, it is good. It challenges the government here too, as soon as possible, pulling up socks, creating a similar environment in Bhutan in terms of access to earning comparatively similar to that of Australia. So, if the government can do that, 99 per cent of Bhutanese won’t leave the country. People would love staying back with their parents, children and their families.”
Over the last few years, hundreds of Bhutanese youth left for abroad with the majority taking off to Australia. As of last year, close to 12,000 Bhutanese are living in the southern hemisphere. Bhutanese residing abroad have been able to send a substantial amount of money to the country.
Records with the Royal Monetary Authority show that Bhutan received about Nu 8bn in remittance from abroad in 2021. More than half of the remittances are from Australia amounting to close to Nu 4bn.
Sonam Tshering, Lhuentse
Edited by Phub Gyem
