COUNTRY BACKGROUND - Gross National Happiness Commission

Education
Table 11.3 Enrolment Targets for the 7FYP by Dzongkhag
11.37 As the numbers of pupils attending schools increase, the physical resources in the existing schools will have
to be consolidated and expanded and new schools will have to be constructed. Emphasis will be placed on
encouraging communities to establish new schools to reduce the capital costs to the Department. As an incentive to
communities and to ensure quality education in these schools, the Department has decided to post the best teachers
to community schools. The Department is also encouraging communities to become involved in the selection of
school sites, construction of the buildings and management of the schools through formation of School
Management Boards. This will increase their sense of responsibility for the education of their children.
11.38 As with enrolment in primary schools, the education system will endeavour to provide fair and equitable
enrolment in higher secondary education between different dzongkhags and between boys and girls. To improve
the enrolment of girls in higher secondary levels, girls boarding facilities with girls warden, will be opened. Some
of the schools and institutions located adjacent to the international boundary will be relocated in more convenient
places.
Improving the Quality of EducationImproving the Quality of Education
11.39 The curricula will be developed further, particularly at the primary level within the overall framework
provided by the New Approach to Primary Education. All primary level education will be brought under the
curricula of NAPE by 1997. Improvement of the text books of all subjects and teaching materials for NAPE will
be continued. In particular, text books on dzongkha, elementary agricultural economics, population education,
environmental conservation and sustainable resource use, and health education will be given strong emphases.
11.40 The curricula for the higher secondary education has not been revised. The production of relevant text
books for post primary education will be the main task during the 7FYP. Texts books will be written for the
following subjects: English, History, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, Dzongkha.
11.41 Bhutanese students currently sit for the Indian Certificate for School Examination (Class X) and Indian
School Certificate (Class XII). Hence, there is limited freedom for launching an independent curriculum for
secondary education and the Department of Education intends to introduce a Bhutanese secondary examination by
8
Dzongkhag 1990
enrolment
Haa
Paro
Samchi
Thimphu
Chirang
Dagana
Punakha
W. Phodrang
Bumthang
Geylegphug
Shemgang
Tongsa
Lhuntshi
Mongar
P. Gatshel
S. Jongkhar
1341
2967
7365
7368
5961
3240
1282
1708
1163
8751
2017
983
922
2118
1408
4955
% of
Enrolment
96.12
91.37
64.99
139.8
99.88
67.25
45.55
43.89
60.40
95.09
57.10
42.13
30.63
36.41
49.17
42.51
Annual
increase
required to
achieve
UPE by 2000
2.68
3.20
6.78
4.44
2.29
6.42
10.65
11.06
7.57
2.79
8.17
11.51
15.13
13.15
9.80
11.41
Total 63643 66.91 6.89