General Education
In 1914, Bhutan’s king established its first modern school with teachers from the Church of Scottland Mission and 46 children. For the next four decades, efforts were made to expand public education. But even by 1960, it’s estimated that fewer than 500 students were enrolled in a dozen schools nationwide. Over the past 60 years, sweeping progressive reforms made free and compulsory public education all but ubiquitous in Bhutan. Today, there are approximately 1,100 schools with over 160,000 students enrolled. According to the World Bank, the enrollment rate for children 6-12 years is 98%, and the literacy rate for youth is nearly 100%.
The Bhutanese education system comprises primary education (grades 1-6), a combined four years of lower and middle school (grades 7-10), and two years of higher secondary education (grades 11-12). Local governments oversee the establishment of early childhood care centers.
English serves as the primary language of instruction, supplemented by teachings in Dzongkha, the national language. The curriculum mirrors Western standards, including mathematics, science, social studies, art, and physical education, while integrating Buddhist teachings on morality and ethics.
Education is a significant priority, but given the demands for teaching personnel, the capital for infrastructure, furniture, and equipment is limited. According to UNICEF, Bhutan spends 7.1% of its national GDP and 23% of its federal budget on education, which is greater than the U.S. 87% of the educational budget is spent on teachers, highlighting the need for educators. During a visit to Bhutan in November 2023, some teachers we met had over 40 children in their classes. UNICEF, the World Bank, and other private donors have helped support infrastructure and programming investments, but many schools lack necessities.
SEN Schools
Special Education Needs (SEN) schools in Bhutan are a recent development. The government began to focus on making schools “inclusive” in the early 2000s, and in 2003, the Changangkha Lower Secondary School in Thimphu became the first inclusive school in Bhutan. However, the roll-out of SEN schools has been limited, and only 39 schools exist today. According to the head of Changangkha School, awareness and attendance remain problematic, with only 15% of children with disabilities attending school nationwide.
SEN children obtain education based on their abilities, with some participating in the regular curriculum, others learning pre-vocational skills, and the more severely focused on daily living skills and functional curriculum. However, many Bhutanese children with disabilities are unable to attend school due to lack of classroom space, transportation, and accessible bathrooms. The other challenge SEN schools face is transitioning children from school into society. Without proper vocational and behavioral training, most of these children will return to their homes and fail to lead more independent lives.
Bhutan Mindfulness is dedicated to improving children’s lives by providing them the necessary resources to succeed. We are currently working with four schools constructing classrooms, bathrooms, and accessible pathways. We have provided vocational education equipment in sewing, cooking, washing, and crafts. We are also exploring how to provide transportation solutions for rural kids unable to reach school. We believe that every child deserves a chance to succeed, and we are committed to making that dream a reality.
Our Involvement
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Should our work in Bhutan resonate, any contribution almost entirely benefits the children. We have little administrative overhead other than expenses related to country staff and supporting our teachers. If you are interested in giving, click here.