In the Second Round of Question Hour Session for Ministries in Group B held today, four oral questions were addressed to the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Education and Skills Development on agricultural transformation, tobacco control enforcement, Dzongkha education, and nursing education in Eastern Bhutan.

The Member from Wamrong Constituency questioned the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock on the Government's support for land development as a key foundation for agricultural transformation. Concerns were raised regarding the high cost of land development for farmers under the Cost Sharing Mechanism and the need for greater assistance to expand cultivable land, improve productivity, and strengthen food security. The Member sought clarification on the possibility of providing enhanced subsidies for land development and other measures to improve productivity in dryland farming. In response, the Minister said that land development is a priority under the 13th Five-Year Plan. The target of developing 15,220 acres by 2029 has already been achieved. However, due to competing national priorities and limited resources, the Government cannot provide a 100% subsidy and will continue the existing cost-sharing mechanism.

The Social and Cultural Committee raised concerns to the Minister of Health regarding the enforcement of tobacco control laws, noting that smoking continues to occur in public places despite legal provisions restricting smoking to designated areas. The Committee questioned the adequacy of monitoring and enforcement measures and sought clarification on challenges preventing effective implementation of the Tobacco Control Act. In response, the Minister acknowledged the concerns raised by the Committee and noted that there have been challenges in strengthening monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. The Minister informed the House that the issue is being monitored in collaboration with the Royal Bhutan Police and Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) while public awareness programmes are being carried out through the implementation of standards for designated smoking areas and other advocacy initiatives. The Minister further stated that the Ministry is consulting relevant stakeholders to strengthen tobacco control measures.

The Member from Khar-Yurung Constituency questioned the Minister for Education and Skills Development by highlighting challenges faced by students in learning Dzongkha. Referring to examination data showing that a significant number of Class VI and Class VIII students failed the subject between 2023 and 2025, the Member sought clarification on plans to review the “Must-Pass” policy, curriculum, teaching methodologies, and assessment systems to improve student performance and strengthen Dzongkha education. In response, the Minister stated that Dzongkha remains a compulsory subject as it plays a vital role in preserving Bhutan’s culture, heritage, and unique national identity. However, the House was informed that the Ministry is reviewing teaching approaches, adopting competency-based learning, and simplifying delivery methods while maintaining the language’s authenticity and cultural value.

The Member from Monggar Constituency questioned the Minister of Health on the status of proposals for establishing nursing colleges in Eastern Bhutan. The discussion focused on the national shortage of nurses, the reported moratorium on new nursing colleges, and the need to expand domestic nursing education and ensure equitable regional access to professional training opportunities. The Member sought clarification on the approval status of the proposed institutions and the Government’s plans to address the shortage of nursing professionals. In response, the Minister acknowledged that the shortage of nurses remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the health sector. The Minister explained that the shortage is largely driven by high attrition rates, making it difficult to fill vacancies due to the specialized training and professional skills required. The Minister informed the House that approximately 400 nurses are expected to graduate from the country’s four nursing institutes by 2027 and expressed hope that they will join and continue serving within the national health system.

Regarding the establishment of private nursing colleges, the Minister stated that proposals must undergo a series of regulatory clearances, accreditation processes, and certification requirements before approval can be granted. However, authorization has been provided to private institutions, including the new YT Academy, to support the expansion of nursing education. The Minister further informed the House that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan and other relevant stakeholders, is working to address the human resource challenges in the health sector and expects improvements over the next three to four years.

Additionally, seven written questions were tabled during the session. Four questions were addressed to the Minister of Health, focusing on issues such as the construction of Tsimalakha General Hospital, the upgradation of healthcare facilities, healthcare service delivery, and other public health concerns. Two written questions were directed to the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock on agricultural development and support programmes, while one written question was addressed to the Minister of Education and Skills Development concerning education and skills development initiatives.