The revolution through introduction of free education till class XII.

1. Was removing cutoff points a vote garnering strategy of DNT Party as was paying mothers of babies upto 6 months?

Answer. Yes.  It was a political campaign social boon to garner votes. But both commitments will have far reaching socio- economic and political ramifications that DNT was unaware of. Maybe most were in the same shoes as DNT. 

2. Will education standard go down as some allege in the absence of cutoff points for govt. scholarship ?

Answer:  Not really for two reasons.

a. Till class X level, the same criteria is applied for promotion to next higher class. Pass mark is overall 35% but pass marks must be secured in 2 main subjects of dzongkhag and english. That still stands even for class XI today.

b. In the past years, students were admitted in class XI in private schools as long as they had secured a pass in class X. And many such students have qualified for professional scholarships after completing class XII in private schools.  And also not every student who studied in government schools after making through the cutoff marks of Class X did well in subsequent years. There have been considerable number of failures from govt. high schools too though not as many as from pvt. high schools.

3. Should government fund those pre- classs X students who do not get seats in government schools and therefore are compelled to study in private schools and nurseries since education is now free upto class XII?

Answer: Yes.  It is in line with providing free education upto class XII. But first seats in government schools must be filled as in the case of class X pass outs.

4. Is removing cutoff points a boon to poor families only?

Answer: No. The policy benefits all students ( regardless of the social status of their parents)  who would not otherwise qualify for government scholarship. The offsprings of rich and poor alike can be good or weak in studies for variety of reasons. Therefore, the policy benefits all familes rich or poor. The rich is saved from having to spend from their pockets  and the poor is saved from spending borrowed money to educate their children.   

5. What could be socio- economic and political ramifications with free education upto class XII.. 

Answer:  Education has removed the traditional distinction between master and serf class/ race in Bhutan thus achieving the goal of legal universal suffrage.

However, unavailability of free education after certain level of schooling ( Primary then Class VIII and finally Class X ) in the modern history of Bhutan have resulted in the creation of blue and white collar class workers in addition to traditional farming occupation. Further the constitution of Bhutan shamelessly created an educated class to rule those  uneducated or less educated.

But circumstances bring about different ways of navigation. Survival instict is incredible. Even poor families realised that the only path to having a say in national affairs was in being a graduate. Today the number of young men and women graduating from colleges has increased greatly in comparision to 2008 and before. And many of them are from what many categorise as under- priviledged section of Bhutanese society.

This policy of free education till class XII will automatically further increase the number of college graduates. So socially, economically and politically, Bhutan is heading towatds a working class rule ( majority in reign of elected government )  in the near future.  Perhaps to a Bhutan with lesser disparity in social and economic status and more substantial political say than just the right to vote. 

Conclusion: Once democracy is introduced, it is difficult to shape it in the interest of just ruling class club. Political Parties need votes so freebies are a must. And impacts from certain freebies can result in major political upheavals for the good of the nation and majority of populace. I look at any change in policies in the light of how the majority are affected not just how much rich or poor benefit. I hope paying nursing  mothers will induce population growth especially in rural Bhutan and free education ultimately nullifies the constitutional bar placed to supress the aspiration of majority of Bhutanese people to have a 1st hand say in national affairs of Bhutan.