COUNTRY BACKGROUND - Gross National Happiness Commission

Education
The Department is headed by the Director General and consists of 7 Divisions: Planning and International
Coordination Division; Curriculum and Textbook Development Division; Board of Examinations; Inspectorate of
Schools; Technical and Vocational Education Division; Teachers's Education Division and School Planning and
Building Cell which is responsible for the design and supervision of school construction. The supervision and
administration of educational services at the Dzongkhag level are the responsibility of the District Education
Officers of which there are 18, who are in turn supervised by 4 Regional Education Officers.
11.5 The numbers of schools and other educational institutions are indicated in Table 11.1 (see Map 11.I
Education Facilities in Bhutan). The numbers of pupils enroled and teachers employed are also shown. These
figures highlight the high proportion of boys enroled in comparison to girls and the dependence on non-national
teachers. As of 1990, 43% of the teaching staff were expatriates, mostly from India and a few through the voluntary
service organizations of U.K., Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand , Netherlands and the UNV programmes.
Community SchoolsCommunity Schools
11.6 There were 46 community schools in 1990 with an enrolment of 3,978 pupils. Community schools were
formerly known as Extended Classrooms (ECRs) and following an evaluation of the ECRs, the Department has
reformulated the ECR concept into that of community schools. A community school is one that is built and
maintained by the community where a minimum of 30 students is found to be within a walking distance of 1 hour.
Such community schools are provided with one or two teachers by the Department of Education. The establishment
of community schools within easier reach of communities has contributed to an increase in the numbers of children
attending school, particularly girls.
Primary EducationPrimary Education
11.7 There were 156 primary schools in 1990 with an enrolment of 48,051. Out of the total enrolment 29,582
were boys and 18,469 were girls (see Table 11.1). Altogether, one year of pre-primary and 6 years of primary
schooling are required for a student to complete primary education. At the end of primary education in Class VI,
the pupils sit for a Common Examination. This examination is taken by all Class VI pupils throughout Bhutan at
the same time, with evaluation of papers being the responsibility of the Bhutan Board of Examination. Depending
on the results of the candidates, those with higher results are assigned to Junior or High Schools as boarders in
other parts of the country. Part of the reason for such dispersal of students around the country is to improve national
integration.
11.8 The Common Examination in Class VI will be discontinued in 1995, when students will sit for the first
Common Examination in Class VIII. The Class VIII level of education will be considered as the required level for
basic literacy and numeracy. The policy of the Royal Government is to achieve universal access to primary
education by the year 2000.
11.9 Until the 6FYP, the curriculum for the primary education was largely based on the Indian system. The
curricula in primary education (pre-primary to Class VI), particularly at the lower levels, have been revised to
incorporate the history, values and environment of the Bhutanese people under the New Approach to Primary
Education Programme. The curriculum in the higher secondary and university education levels in Bhutan is still
based on the Indian system.
Secondary EducationSecondary Education
11.10 There were 21 junior schools and 10 high schools with enrolments of 11,517 and 4,467 students
respectively in 1990. Students throughout Bhutan sit for a Common Examination in Class VIII, set by the Bhutan
Board of Examination. After the Common Examination in Class VIII, students in Bhutan sit for the Indian
Certificate School Examination in Class X and then for the Indian School Certificate Examination in Class XII.
Only high schools have classes up to Class X. Subsequently, the students have to either go to Sherubtse College or
to Yangchenphug High School in Thimphu for Classes XI-XII courses. Classes XI-XII were introduced in
Yangchenphug High School in the academic year 1989. Classes XI-XII courses are also offered in Simtokha
Rigney School, the Institute for traditional secular studies. Simtokha Rigney School had 676 students in 1990. Most
of these students become Dzongkha language teachers after their studies.
3