COUNTRY BACKGROUND - Gross National Happiness Commission

Education
11.31 Since the establishment of RIM, several programmes were launched to fulfil its functional goals. A Training
Plan was prepared for 1986-95 . The Plan incorporates training programmes for all the five categories of civil
servants: top, senior, middle level executives, supervisory and office support personnel. Of the 9 faculty members,
7 have completed long courses abroad. A Library Learning and Documentation Division has been established and
links forged with institutions in the region and Europe for the exchange of information.
Non Formal EducationNon Formal Education
11.32 There has not been any significant programme introduced for non-formal and adult education. However,
educational programmes are becoming a regular feature of Bhutan Broadcasting Services.
III. Objectives and Strategies for the 7FYPIII. Objectives and Strategies for the 7FYP
A. Objectives for the 7FYPA. Objectives for the 7FYP
11.33 The broad objectives for the Education sector are in line with national objectives of improving the quality
of life, developing human resources, facilitating the meaningful participation of the population in the country's
development activities, and preserving and strengthening the country's culture.
11.34 The specific objectives for the 7FYP are to:
· increase the coverage of education to bring about equitable access and meet the target of
universalization of primary education by the year 2000
· enhance the relevance and quality of education particularly at the primary level within the overall
framework provided by the New Approach to Primary Education.
· expand educational opportunities for the disabled and the disadvantaged for their basic learning needs.
· enhance the literacy rate through alternative forms of education such as non-formal and adult literacy
programmes.
· strengthen technical and vocational education in view of the envisaged development of the industrial
sector.
B. Strategies for Achieving ObjectivesB. Strategies for Achieving Objectives
11.35 The Strategies for achieving these objectives are as follows:
· increase the numbers of schools, particularly community schools, to ensure the equitable distribution of
education facilities.
· increase the number of national teachers as well as their expertise in order to ensure improvements in
the learning and teaching processes.
· continue improvements in the national curriculum to increase its relevance to the needs of the
population and the economy, to encourage greater enrolment levels, and to prevent the high dropout
and failure rates.
· improve the efficiency in the delivery system with a view to make the education system more cost
effective.
· encourage greater involvement of communities in the construction and maintenance of community
schools.
· improve liaison with the industrial sector to increase the relevance of technical education.
Increase Access to Education Increase Access to Education
11.36 To achieve universal access to primary education by the year 2000, a target of 88% coverage would need to
be met by 1997. The number of students in 1997 in primary education system should be 100,280, which will entail
an annual growth rate of 6.85%. Special emphasis will to be given to educationally backward areas and girls to
reduce the existing disparity.
7