University certificates and eligibility
Education qualifications not always matter, but matter when it comes to fulfilling formalities. Get employed in certain companies or get a job with in government agencies are primary areas where university certificates are called for.
Politics is open; very few countries – countable in fingers – have set education criteria for individuals to contest elections. Law is the most rigid taking into consideration the extent of knowledge that lawyers need to have.
Bhutan is one among few countries seeking certificates from aspiring politicians to build their career in budding democracy. Despite small number of graduates, and very few among them looking for political career, the national laws require anyone to have bachelors to contest elections. This is to ensure that lawmakers are intellectually able to determine laws and other decisions for the best interest of the nation.
I remember one Nepali proverb, पढेर जानिन्छ कि परेर जानिन्छ’. Both are correct in one sense and incorrect in other.
The appointment of Sonam Tongye as the new chief justice recently made me rethink on the legal provisions in Bhutan whether the educational qualifications apply for all, equally. It is not undermining that Tobgye knows nothing about laws and legal system. Having worked for years in this very field, he has enough knowledge.
However, how about formalities? Does this mean, one having worked in a certain field does not need qualifications to get job? Optimisms are obviously there that years of hard work are awarded but in disguise it certainly discourages youngsters to pursue academic qualifications.
Questions are alive, whether Bhutan government will entertain willingness of a grade X graduate having worked for years in bureaucracy to be appointed as the secretary or chief secretary of the country. Will a literate farmer aged 60 be eligible for being appointed as agriculture officer?
The constitution says, all citizens shall be equally treated, given equal opportunity and etc. I think Bhutan citizens are equal but some are more equal. The appointment has set precedence that if long term political career holders wish to contesting elections, the application must be treated eligible.