The Ministry of Education and Skills Development will establish an education reform council to revise the school curriculum and work towards skill development. This will benefit students in all streams of science, arts and humanities, and commerce to better prepare for the demands of the 21st century. The education minister shared this during the question-hour session in the National Assembly today.
Dewathang-Gomdar’s MP, Tshering Penjor asked about the education ministry’s plans to support arts and commerce students, given the prioritization of STEM subjects in schools and colleges.
The MP also inquired if the ministry and the Royal University of Bhutan have had enough consultative meetings to discuss the decision to prioritize STEM subjects.
“The Royal University of Bhutan and the ministry have not been able to have discussions on phasing out arts and humanities because the education council has not been established yet. For the past two years, the reform works have been done under the education steering committee,” said Yeezang De Thapa, Minister of Education and Skills Development.
The minister added that the Royal University of Bhutan has been gradually discontinuing the arts and humanities programmes due to limited job opportunities. The minister further added that the RUB has begun replacing these programmes with subjects that offer better employment prospects in higher education.
The members of parliament also asked the minister about plans to enhance youth skills development. They recommended allowing the already closed private schools to offer arts and humanities, and commerce subjects.
“To enhance the skills development, we are going to review the curriculum at technical and training institutes to meet the 21st century demand for skills and talent. Right now, we are providing skills development training to students above class ten. We are considering integrating skills development in the curriculum from class seven but it has yet to be decided,” said Yeezang De Thapa, Minister of Education and Skills Development.
The minister added that the ministry is ready to support closed private schools if they want to offer arts and humanities and commerce subjects.
Sonam Yuden
Edited by Sonam Pem
