Addressing the nation on the 112th National Day, His Majesty The King announced the institution of National Service or Gyalsung for youths. His Majesty said the programme is to instil values in the young minds and prepare them to be responsible and competent citizens who will be able to shoulder the nation’s needs.
Gyalsung (National Service) will commence from 2022. It will be a year-long training for those attaining the age of 18. The one-year training will include a 3-month military-style training, and a 9-month program in areas like agriculture sciences, entrepreneurship, computers and coding, health sciences.
“Gyalsung will provide direction and encourage our youth to be strong, independent thinkers, capable of serving the country. It will bring the youth of Bhutan together in a shared experience and act as a rite of passage- irrespective of their economic or regional backgrounds. With this initiative, we are placing an immense responsibility on the shoulders of our children, and assuming an even greater responsibility ourselves, to nurture them and ensure their success,” His Majesty told the gathering.
There will be nationwide consultations and an opportunity for the people to seek clarifications and propose new ideas and recommendations.
Passang Dorji/Tshering Dendup
