The shortage of science and ICT teachers in schools across the country is expected to be resolved by this July. This was said by education and skills development minister, Yeezang De Thapa during the question hour session in the National Assembly today. The minister said that there is a shortage of more than 130 teachers for STEM subjects. According to the minister, the ministry will be recruiting nearly 120 teachers in July.
Samtse’s Dophuchen-Tading Member of Parliament and Trashi Yangtse’s Khamdang-Ramjar Member of Parliament questioned the education and skills development minister on how the government plans to address the shortage of teachers for STEM subjects.
“Today, the country is facing a significant shortage of teachers, particularly, in STEM subjects. At times like this, both parents and teachers are worried and it is crucial to address and resolve this issue promptly,” said Ugyen Lama, Dophuchen-Tading’s MP.
“The highest attrition rates are in the education sector. Over the past two and a half years, this high attrition rate has become evident. Of the total 10,134 teachers, 3,597 have resigned between 2021 and 2024, which amounts to 35.5 per cent. Most of these teachers had over ten years of experience. The issue of teacher shortage is severe in rural areas. Therefore, how can we maintain quality and what are the plans that are in place to motivate and retain teachers?,” said Namgay Dorji, Khamdang-Ramjar MP.
Education and skills development minister said the ministry will be recruiting 118 teachers including from India and those who completed Postgraduate Diploma in Education in July.
“As of June, this year, there is a shortage of 135 STEM teachers. 46 in Maths, 38 in ICT, 22 in Physics, and 29 in Chemistry. To solve the shortage, we will be recruiting 18 PGDE graduates in STEM. Additionally, we will be bringing in 100 STEM teachers from India. We will be getting 118 STEM teachers next month,” said Yeezang De Thapa, Education and Skills Development Minister.
The minister added that there will still be a shortage of 17 teachers, mostly in ICT subjects. The ministry plans to address this shortage by recruiting PGDE graduates next year.
According to the minister, teachers’ working environment will also be improved and their workload will also be reduced.
“We are committed to making the working environment for teachers comfortable, as this is important. This initiative is included in the 13th Five-Year-Plan. Consequently, we will be providing improved facilities and infrastructure. To reduce workload, we will introduce online teaching and implement smart classrooms, which will help ease the teacher’s workload.”
Today, there are more than 560 schools in the country.
Sonam Yuden
Edited by Tshering Zam
