Ministry of Education

Thimphu : Bhutan

Education System in Bhutan  

Source : Education General Statistics 2004

Contents

• Growth in the modern education system

• General Education Curriculum

• Education Structure

• Schooling system

• Nomenclature for Schools

• Education Administration

Growth in the modern education system

Until the introduction of modern, western form of education in 1950s the only form of formal education available in Bhutan was monastic education. While monastic education continues to be an important part of the national culture, western education has been promoted and expanded since first Five Year Plan in 1961 to address the basic educational needs, and develop human resources required for the socio-economic development of the country.  Within a period of four decades, the government has been able to expand the modern education system from about 11 schools prior to the first Five Year Plan in 1961 to 447 schools and institutes in 2004, spanning from community primary schools to tertiary institutes. Fig. 1.1 (a) shows the progressive growth of the number of schools and institutes since the first Five year Plan.

At the same time the expansion of education system has been accompanied by a rapid growth in the enrolment of students as a result of the government’s commitment to education. From about 400 students in the early 60’s, total enrolment has increased in all levels of formal education and NFE centers to 155,234 by April 2004, reflecting a growth of 5.3% over the previous academic year. Among the factors responsible for the rising enrolment are increased awareness about the value of education among the parents and the government’s policy of ensuring that all the children are able to complete primary education within their geogs.    Fig. 1.1 (b) shows the progressive increase in enrolment in schools and institutes since the 1^st Five Year Plan.

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General Education Curriculum

The objective of the primary education in Bhutan is not only to equip the students with basic literacy and numeracy skills but also to impart knowledge of the country's history, geography and traditions. In addition, the functional skills such as fundamentals of agriculture, health and hygiene and population education have also been incorporated in the primary school curriculum. Over the years the moral science and value education are also being given special attention within the education programme.  All these are being provided within the framework of the new system of activity based learning, which has been adopted uniformly across the country.

The curriculum at the secondary level has been largely localized to reflect the national needs. As of December 2001 the class X examinations have been fully de-linked from the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) with the first national examinations conducted by the Bhutan Board of Examinations (BBE). 

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Education Structure

The formal educational structure in Bhutan consists of 7 years of Primary education (including Pre-Primary) and 6 years of Secondary education, comprising of 2 years each of lower, middle and higher secondary. This is followed by a 3-year Degree programme at Sherubtse College, the two National Institutes of Education (NIE) at Paro and Samtse, and the Institute of Language and Cultural Studies. A 4-year degree programme is also available at the Royal Bhutan Institute of Technology.

Basic education extends class PP to class X, and is available to every citizen in the country. Promotion from one class to the next is based on a system of continuous assessment, minimum attendance and term examinations.  For classes VIII and X, promotion is determined by the student’s performance at the national level board examinations, with a 20% weightage given to school assessment. A place beyond the Basic Education level is generally guided by the human resource plans.

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Schooling system

The minimum official entry age into the formal education system is 6 at the Pre-Primary (PP) class. Primary schooling (PP-VI) is provided in the community primary, primary, lower secondary and in some of the middle secondary schools. At the end of Primary education, students appear for the national level All Bhutan Class Six Examinations conducted by the individual schools. The question papers are still prepared by the Bhutan Board of Examinations.

Lower secondary schooling (Classes VII and VIII) is provided in the lower, middle and some higher secondary schools while classes IX-X are provided in the middle and higher secondary schools.  There are presently 16 higher secondary schools, which offer classes XI and XI. Access to post-basic education (XI) is based on the students' performance in the national examinations at the end of Class X.  Those who do not qualify for higher secondary education repeat or seek admission into vocational training institutes, including teacher training. Others, who can afford the fees, go outside the country for Class XI or join the 7 private higher secondary schools that offer Class XI.

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Nomenclature for Schools

The nomenclature for the various levels of schooling was revised in 2002.  This was to facilitate planning and support for schools, particularly at the secondary level. This revision has not affected the Community Primary and Primary schools. Junior High schools have been classified as Lower Secondary schools, while the High schools have been renamed Middle Secondary or Higher Secondary. All schools that have Class VIII as their final class have been named Lower Secondary, similarly all schools that have Class X or XII as their terminal class have been named Middle and Higher Secondary respectively.

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Education Administration

The Headquarters

The Ministry of Education is entrusted with a range of responsibilities viz. policy, planning and administration of basic, secondary and general academic higher education. The National Assembly elects the Minister for a term of 5 years. The Minister is supported by the Ministry Secretariat, which is headed by a Secretary. The Secretariat is organized into the Policy and Planning Division and the Administrative and Finance Division, each headed by a Deputy Secretary. The Bhutan Board of Examinations (BBE), School Planning and Building Division (SPBD), Education Media (previously known as the Audio Visual Unit) and the National Commission for UNESCO are also a part of the Secretariat, and are directly accountable to the Secretary. The Internal Audit Unit headed by a Chief Internal Auditor reports directly to the Minister.

There are four Departments under the Ministry of Education; the Department of School Education (DSE), the Department of Adult and Higher Education (DAHE), the Department of Youth, Culture and Sports (DYCS) and the Dzongkha Development Authority (DDA). Each Department is headed by a Director, (Director General in the case of DDA), who is responsible for the implementation of the plans and policies of the department. Each Director is supported by Joint Directors who head the various divisions under the department.

The Department of School Education is organized into 4 Divisions as follows:  Curriculum and Professional Services Division (CAPSD), Education Monitoring & Support Service Division (EMSSD), Programme Division (PD) and Teacher Development Division (TDD). The Programme Division administers the following programmes: School Information Technology (IT), Special Education (SE), Early Childhood and Care Development (ECCD), School Agriculture, School Nutrition and Feeding and Private Schools development. A School Liaison and Coordination Unit also support the Department.

The Department of Adult and Higher Education is also organized into the Tertiary Education Division (TED), Scholarship Division (SD) and Non Formal and Continuing Education Division (NFECED).

The Department of Youth, Culture and Sports (DYCS) is organized into the Career Education and Counseling Division (CECD), Games and Sports Division (GSD) and Scouts and Culture Division (SCD). The Games and Sports Division also has the support of the National Sports Federations. The Department is further supported by the Youth Information Centre for advocacy of information related to youth and the Youth Centre for organizing youth programmes.

The Dzongkha Development Authority (DDA) is organized into the Literacy Promotion Division and the Research and Development Division.

Sherubtse College, National Institutes of Education (NIE) at Paro and Samtse and Institute for Language and Culture Studies (ILCS) are now being administered by the Royal University of Bhutan, but still maintain links with the Ministry of Education. 

Dzongkhag level

At the Dzongkhag level, education matters are looked after by the Dzongkhag Education Officers (DEOs).  DEOs report directly to the Dzongda but is also accountable to the Ministry of Education for education matters within the Dzongkhag.

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