From next year, no regular contract teachers will be recruited. The recruitment will be shifted to Consolidated Contract Teacher. The education minister said the move will make recruitment fairer, more consistent, and help save money. Under this transition, the position levels and grades of teachers will remain unchanged.
The Royal Civil Service Commission issued a notification in May this year stating that regular contract recruitment will be discontinued and that all new contract teacher appointments would be made under the consolidated contract.
Following this, the education ministry also notified all contract teachers across the country, urging them to appear for the upcoming Civil Service Examination to secure regular employment.
The ministry also said they will take in less contract teachers in the coming years due to the merging of schools.
Minister for Education and Skills Development Yeezang De Thapa said the recruitment of contract teachers has become inconsistent.
“In the education sector, the regular contract teachers were recruited after they passed the civil service examination but didn’t make it as regular employees. In the past, there was a shortage of teachers. Now, we have enough contract teachers. As per the teacher requirement exercise, the number of teachers is more now. We have enough teachers available in the market too.”
As per the Bhutan Civil Service Rules and Regulations 2023, regular contract recruitment is done when there is a critical need for specific qualifications, skills, and experience in that position category.
Likewise, consolidated contract teachers are recruited when there is an urgent requirement to fill vacancies in a particular position category.
Although regular contract teachers are eligible for a 30 per cent contract allowance, consolidated contract teachers are not eligible for this allowance.
The minister said, “Additionally, the regular contract teacher scheme proved to be financially burdensome for the government. It included a 30% contract allowance that is not provided under the consolidated contract system, placing a significant strain on public finances. Among teachers, it has created unnecessary discrepancies and a sense of inequality among individuals.”
The minister further said that the medical sector, which needs more specialised skills, has only four professionals on regular contracts, mostly those with rare specialisations. And they don’t get the 30 per cent allowance. This highlights the need to adjust the contract system in the education sector to ensure fairness and proper alignment within the civil service.
The minister emphasised that this change supports the government’s pledge to regularise contract service. But employees must have the right qualifications and complete the process, as regularisation will depend on merit and won’t happen automatically.
Sonam Yuden
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
