Nepali-ethnic students barred from opportunities to higher education

Khudunabari, January 23: Two Bhutanese students (names withheld) studying inside Bhutan have stated that students from Nepali-ethnic community are denied opportunities to pursue their higher education despite their high score and better performances in examination. 

The two girl students who have recently visited camps of the exiled Bhutanese in Nepal have reported the annual fee in the school is at least 20,000 Ngultrum.

They claimed that students from Nepali-ethnic community are not given chance to join the country's one of the best colleges, Kanglung College, after grade XII. "The seats are limited for Nepali-ethnic community students at this college in comparison to other ethnic groups", they added.

They are strictly monitored on any talks on 'refugee issue' and if found discussing on it, the administration slamps either jail term or face physical punishement, the students reported.

In response to the query of Bhutan News Service regarding their opinion on recently concluded National Council election, they said that majority of Bhutanese from Nepali-ethnic community, who were denied the issuance of ID cards and No Objection Certificate, were barred from exercising their right to caste vote in the election. "Even our families were among those barred from casting vote", they added. Trivikram Adhikari/Bhutan News Service