During the election campaign, the government had promised to open more colleges of which three would be in the eastern region. The progress of the pledge was questioned. The Education Minister, Mingbo Dukpa, said the ministry has received 36 applications to establish private colleges. So far six has been approved by the ministry in principle.
MP Wangdi Norbu of Bartsham-Shongphu constituency in Trashigang mentioned that a large number of students graduate from high schools and there is limited number of colleges in the country.
The minister said that this was not a new issue and the government is trying its best to address it and further improve the quality of education as well.
At present there is one private and ten government colleges in the country under the Royal University of Bhutan.