Right to education at risk

February 25, 2010: The right to education in Bhutan is likely to deteriorate in the years to come, thanks to rigidity in issuing new permits to open more private colleges in the country.

Less than half of the grade 10 pass out students will get admission this year in government-run higher secondary schools. Noting poor existence of private colleges, it is obvious that large number of students have now no options but seek admission in India or abroad or else join the group of unemployed youths.

Bhutan Board of Examinations (BBE) said of the 8,671 candidates who have crossed grade 10 exams, only 3,695 candidates will be admitted to the government higher secondary schools.

The department of school education has set cut-off point for admissions at 62 percent with an aggregate of 310 marks in English and four best subjects.