1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

Punakha Chimi those people on whom the Government has spent considerable
amount of money in education and training should fill these needs. Further, with
increasing decentralization and devolution of responsibility for governance to
the Dzongkhags and geogs, the difficulties in getting qualified and trained
people to formulate plans and implement programmes would cause problems
for some time.
Nevertheless, the number of educated young persons are increasing year after
year. The Dzongda pointed out that as the numbers start running into tens of
thousands, it would not be possible for the civil service, with its maximum
ceiling of 13 to 15,000 to absorb all those seeking to join it. The responsibility
of the Government is to provide to the youth the best possible education
ensuring internationally acceptable standards. If our professionals can compete
internationally and get professional jobs in other countries, it would not only
further enhance their competence and knowledge but would also have long term
benefits to the country as the higher incomes that they receive would eventually
flow into Bhutan.
The Dzongda pointed out that, for instance, in The Phillipines, 70 to 75% of
national income is based on knowledge and skills and this is mainly remitted by
the educated Filipinos working abroad. This is a good example of remittance
income stimulating economic development in the country of origin. Besides the
civil service, if the Bhutanese people can be employed in the private sector and
abroad in line with individual qualifications and skills, it would fulfill the
aspirations of our people. Not permitting qualified and trained people to work
outside the country is not only against universal norms and practice but would
also result in problems related to unemployment even of professionals since the
civil service can only absorb a limited number and the private sector is quite
small.
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