RENUKA RAI | Thimphu
With schools closed for the winter break, the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) has rolled out a series of structured programmes aimed at ensuring students and youth remain meaningfully engaged during the long holiday period. The initiatives, which span sports, leadership training, youth resilience and community engagement, are intended to promote holistic development and productive use of time while schools remain closed.
Responding to concerns about how students spend their winter holidays, the MoESD minister Yeezang De Thapa during the 23th meet the press session held on 31 Jan, said the Ministry has taken a proactive approach to keep young people engaged through carefully planned activities that support physical well-being, character development and positive social behaviour. The programmes, implemented nationwide, are designed to reach students from diverse backgrounds and age groups.
According to the Minister, the winter break presents both an opportunity and a responsibility. While students deserve rest after a demanding academic year, prolonged inactivity can expose them to unhealthy habits and negative influences. “The Ministry’s focus during the winter months is to provide safe, structured and enriching spaces where children and youth can continue to learn, grow and interact positively,” the Minister said.
A major component of the winter engagement initiatives is sports and physical development. The Minister said around 500 students from 53 secondary schools participated in the 17th National School Games, held in Sarpang from December 24 to 28. The annual event brings together student athletes from across the country and is expected to foster sportsmanship, teamwork and discipline among participants.
In addition to the National School Games, the Ministry is working in collaboration with the Bhutan Football Federation to organise national football championships for under-16 and under-19 students. The under-19 regional championships for both boys and girls will be conducted across seven regions from January 3 to 7, 2026, engaging approximately 756 students.
Following the regional rounds, the under-19 national championships will be held in Thimphu from January 15 to 30, with 252 students competing. Similarly, the under-16 national football championships are scheduled during the same period, with boys’ matches to be hosted in Tsirang and girls’ matches in Gelephu. Around 765 students are expected to participate in the under-16 competitions.
The Minister said these sporting events are not only aimed at keeping students physically active during the winter break but also serve as platforms to identify emerging talent and promote healthy lifestyles. Sports, the Minister added, play a vital role in shaping discipline, resilience and teamwork among young people.
Alongside sports, the Ministry has placed strong emphasis on leadership development. As part of this effort, around 150 Class V students from schools across the country will undergo a two-week Nachung Leadership Training programme from January 25 to February 7, 2026, in Dagana. The programme is designed to instil leadership values, confidence and responsibility at an early age and around 150 outstanding scout students will participate in a three-week leadership training programme in Sarpang, running from December 25, 2025, to January 17, 2026. The scout leadership training focuses on character building, teamwork, service and resilience, aligning with the Ministry’s broader goal of nurturing responsible and capable citizens.
Addressing the needs of vulnerable youth, the Minister highlighted the Winter Youth Resilience Development Programme, a 15-day intervention designed to support 360 vulnerable young people across the country. The programme is supported by 60 school counsellors and is being implemented across six national centres.
The resilience programme adopts a holistic approach under the theme “Awakening the Goodness Within” and focuses on positive behavioural change, emotional well-being and self-development. The Minister said the programme includes a strong post-programme follow-up mechanism to ensure that participants continue to receive guidance and support after the intervention period. The Youth centres across the country are also playing a central role in winter engagement efforts. According to the Minister, winter youth engagement programmes are being conducted through these centres to provide safe and structured spaces for young people during the school break.
At the Thimphu Youth Centre, a Winter Engagement Programme is underway from December 22, 2025, to January 11, 2026, engaging 50 children and youth with the support of 26 youth volunteers. The programme includes activities aimed at promoting creativity, teamwork and positive social interaction.
In addition, an “Engagement Explorer Programme” was organised at the Thimphu Youth Centre from December 2 to 10, benefiting 52 children and youth with the support of eight youth volunteers. The Minister said such programmes help participants explore their interests, develop confidence and strengthen social skills.
The Ministry is also providing training on Comprehensive Sexuality Education to 26 youth participants, including out-of-school youth. The training is facilitated by trained Y-PEER members and aims to equip young people with accurate information, healthy attitudes and life skills related to personal well-being and relationships.
Further expanding the range of winter activities, the Ministry has planned a Chess Programme to be implemented across 13 youth centres from mid-January to early February. According to the Minister, chess is an effective tool for developing critical thinking, concentration and strategic planning skills among young people.
In addition, winter youth engagement programmes are currently underway at 12 youth centres across the country from December 19, 2025, to January 24, 2026. These programmes are engaging an average of 50 to 60 participants at each centre, supported by 15 to 20 youth volunteers.
The Minister said the involvement of youth volunteers is a key feature of the winter initiatives, as it encourages peer leadership, volunteerism and community service among young people. Collaboration between schools, youth centres, counsellors, sports bodies and volunteers, the Minister added, reflects a collective approach to youth development.
Overall, the winter engagement programmes reflect the Ministry of Education and Skills Development’s commitment to ensuring that students and youth continue to grow during the school break. By providing structured opportunities for physical activity, leadership development, resilience building and social engagement, the Ministry aims to ensure that the winter holidays are spent in a positive and productive manner.
According to the Minister, the winter break presents both an opportunity and a responsibility. While students deserve rest after a demanding academic year, prolonged inactivity can expose them to unhealthy habits and negative influences. “The Ministry’s focus during the winter months is to provide safe, structured and enriching spaces where children and youth can continue to learn, grow and interact positively,” the Minister said.
A major component of the winter engagement initiatives is sports and physical development. The Minister said around 500 students from 53 secondary schools will participate in the 17th National School Games, scheduled to be held in Sarpang from December 24 to 28. The annual event brings together student athletes from across the country and is expected to foster sportsmanship, teamwork and discipline among participants.
In addition to the National School Games, the Ministry is working in collaboration with the Bhutan Football Federation to organise national football championships for under-16 and under-19 students. The under-19 regional championships for both boys and girls will be conducted across seven regions from January 3 to 7, 2026, engaging approximately 756 students.
Following the regional rounds, the under-19 national championships will be held in Thimphu from January 15 to 30, with 252 students competing. Similarly, the under-16 national football championships are scheduled during the same period, with boys’ matches to be hosted in Tsirang and girls’ matches in Gelephu. Around 765 students are expected to participate in the under-16 competitions.
The Minister said these sporting events are not only aimed at keeping students physically active during the winter break but also serve as platforms to identify emerging talent and promote healthy lifestyles. Sports, the Minister added, play a vital role in shaping discipline, resilience and teamwork among young people.
Alongside sports, the Ministry has placed strong emphasis on leadership development. As part of this effort, around 150 Class V students from schools across the country will undergo a two-week Nachung Leadership Training programme from January 25 to February 7, 2026, in Dagana. The programme is designed to instil leadership values, confidence and responsibility at an early age.
Similarly, around 150 outstanding scout students will participate in a three-week leadership training programme in Sarpang, running from December 25, 2025, to January 17, 2026. The scout leadership training focuses on character building, teamwork, service and resilience, aligning with the Ministry’s broader goal of nurturing responsible and capable citizens.
Addressing the needs of vulnerable youth, the Minister highlighted the Winter Youth Resilience Development Programme, a 15-day intervention designed to support 360 vulnerable young people across the country. The programme is supported by 60 school counsellors and is being implemented across six national centres.
The resilience programme adopts a holistic approach under the theme “Awakening the Goodness Within” and focuses on positive behavioural change, emotional well-being and self-development. The Minister said the programme includes a strong post-programme follow-up mechanism to ensure that participants continue to receive guidance and support after the intervention period. Youth centres across the country are also playing a central role in winter engagement efforts. According to the Minister, winter youth engagement programmes are being conducted through these centres to provide safe and structured spaces for young people during the school break.
At the Thimphu Youth Centre, a Winter Engagement Programme is underway from December 22, 2025, to January 11, 2026, engaging 50 children and youth with the support of 26 youth volunteers. The programme includes activities aimed at promoting creativity, teamwork and positive social interaction.
In addition, an “Engagement Explorer Programme” was organised at the Thimphu Youth Centre from December 2 to 10, benefiting 52 children and youth with the support of eight youth volunteers. The Minister said such programmes help participants explore their interests, develop confidence and strengthen social skills. The Ministry is also providing training on Comprehensive Sexuality Education to 26 youth participants, including out-of-school youth. The training is facilitated by trained Y-PEER members and aims to equip young people with accurate information, healthy attitudes and life skills related to personal well-being and relationships.
Further expanding the range of winter activities, the Ministry has planned a Chess Programme to be implemented across 13 youth centres from mid-January to early February. According to the Minister, chess is an effective tool for developing critical thinking, concentration and strategic planning skills among young people. The winter youth engagement programmes are currently underway at 12 youth centres across the country from December 19, 2025, to January 24, 2026. These programmes are engaging an average of 50 to 60 participants at each centre, supported by 15 to 20 youth volunteers.
The Minister said the involvement of youth volunteers is a key feature of the winter initiatives, as it encourages peer leadership, volunteerism and community service among young people. Collaboration between schools, youth centres, counsellors, sports bodies and volunteers, the Minister added, reflects a collective approach to youth development. Overall, the winter engagement programmes reflect the Ministry of Education and Skills Development’s commitment to ensuring that students and youth continue to grow during the school break. By providing structured opportunities for physical activity, leadership development, resilience building and social engagement, the Ministry aims to ensure that the winter holidays are spent in a positive and productive manner.
