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KP Sharma
Bhutan’s Education Blueprint (2014-2024) is in its final year, but the national committee says several key goals aimed at improving the country’s education system remain unmet.
This comprehensive policy document aims to improve accessibility, inclusion and quality of education, outlining key strategic objectives for aligning the education sector with national development goals.
Despite significant investments and efforts over the past decade, achieving these goals remains a persistent challenge.
The National Commission’s Special Committee on Education recently presented its findings to the National Commission.
The Bhutan Education Blueprint is a guiding framework for the Ministry of Education that sets out a vision for a more equitable and effective education system.
Most NC commissioners and committees expressed dissatisfaction with the plan’s failure to achieve its objectives and the lack of significant results in some of the targeted areas.
A key part of this is the development of the Education Act through multi-sectoral engagement and consultation.
Unfortunately, this important legislation remains incomplete, leaving major gaps in the policy framework needed to advance comprehensive education reform.
However, following a series of debates in the National Assembly (NA), Minister of Education and Skill Development Yeezang De Thapa said the National Education Policy 2024 will be implemented after consultation with stakeholders and will address necessary policy gaps. Lyonpo added that the education policy will function as an act and the Ministry of Education will first implement the National Education Policy and then consider future acts if necessary.
Another initiative that did not materialize was the creation of a national teachers’ council.
The commission’s purpose is to regulate teacher registration, licensing and professional conduct, ensuring that educators meet high standards of professionalism and efficiency.
The absence of a centralised body to oversee and regulate the teaching profession has hampered efforts to improve the quality of teaching across the country.
In addition, the planned construction of the Ministry’s secretariat office building to enhance coordination and resource sharing among departments has not yet materialized.
The infrastructure project is expected to facilitate better communication and collaboration within the Ministry of Education, thereby improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the education sector.
Minister of Education and Skill Development Yeezang De Thapa said that although the Bhutan Education Blueprint has been implemented for 10 years, its goals will be achieved during the 13th Five-Year Plan period and some initiatives are still being implemented.
According to the minister, the time-bound education committee that was to be set up under the Royal Education Act was not formed as the ministry decided to set up a steering committee chaired by the education minister.
The committee has initiated many efforts such as launching a Bhutanese bachelor’s degree program in partnership with the Royal College, strengthening STEM education, and participating in the formulation of the Education Policy 2024.
Leonpaugh added that a new education committee will be formed in order to successfully implement plans and activities in the coming years.
The government has allocated a large budget for education and is expected to address outstanding issues that have not been achieved under the blueprint.
The ministry will focus on infrastructure development for 21st century learning facilities, curriculum revision, professional development for teachers and principals, and school autonomy.
Some members of the National Congress Party believe that the unfinished plans of Bhutan’s education blueprint highlight the need for a comprehensive legal framework and stronger institutional support to achieve its ambitious goals.
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