Education in Bhutan

The History of Education dates back to the reign of First King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck and Second King Jigme Wangchuck; there was very few schools, where the student were taught in Hindi besides other subjects. The history of education says that there was “Traditional Learning Systems”; the monasteries and learning from who knows how to read and write “Choe-kay”. Prior to the modern educated civil servants, there were civil servants who all came from Buddhist monasteries.

With the perception of modern education as most imperative and significant weapons to emerge into the developmental activities; the modern educational institutes were set up in the country. The modern educational institutes were, Haa School, 1913 in Haa and Thinley Rabten School, 1914 in Bumthang. Our Second King Jigme Wangchuck studies in Thinley Rabten School which was unstable as and when Royal Court moved to Trongsa in winter, the school also shifted to Kuenga Rabten⁽¹⁾.

 

During that time the summer residence of the government was in Bumthang and winter in Trongsa, where the school shifted with government. The facility was to the barest minimum but then it was in keeping with standard existing then. Two wood-floored rooms with bamboo thatch was a normal form of accommodation then ⁽²⁾.

The school was established mainly to give modern education for the second king who was then crown prince. He received his basic modern education in the unpleasant conditions of the school. In same year, 34 boys from around the country were selected to study in Haa School. These 34 students used to study in Haa during summer and Kalimpong during winter. Those times, government also used to send few students to study in Kalimpong, India, bearing the expenses of the students.

By 1950s, Bhutan stepped in modernization and the numbers of the schools were increased; the government schools and private schools were established in the country. Then the numbers of the schools were increased; there were 29 government schools and 30 private schools at the end of 1950s but the student enrolled in the school was only about 2,500. There were no secondary school exists in Bhutan but was available only in India.

The first two schools of the country, Haa School, where the name and fame still in the era of Education as Ugyen Dorji Higher Secondary School, but today Thinley Rabten School has no reputation like Haa School.

Then, the government took all the private schools under government supervision to enhance the quality of education in the country. But the saddest thing in emergence of modern education was that few schools in remote and far flung areas were closed, as the children enrolled was very low.

During those times, the government officials must go in the villages to select the students. But the parents too were not willing to send their children to study in schools. My father told me a story about him when I asked why you didn’t study.

Here it goes; "When I was young and I must be nine or ten years old boy. I was assigned with my daily works by my beloved mother, who always drinks locally brewed wine; to look after the cattle, to work in fields, and so on. Once I suggested my dad and mom to let me go Goenpa to learn traditional Buddhist philosophies for few months from Lama, but they failed to send me. Then I was busy working as before with localities of Ridangchen where I am hailed from, just below Menchu. I am elder and I have got a sister and two brothers" my dad explained me looking around but his color of face fades away. I nod my head.

Then he continues. "Now I will tell you the fact about why I am illiterate; once group of government officials who were teachers of Trashigang School, where currently upgraded to middle secondary school just above current Trashigang town. That time Trashigang School was only school and then Nakhardzong School was established. They questioned me and other local boys as those time girls were not interviewed. I was selected then. My father, who used to drink like mother, offered a Palang of Ara to them, and states "keep my child back, I have no one to help me, brothers and sister are too young". But they didn't listen to him. I was then taken with them via Nakhardzong where present school stands. I was happy to go with them because I would have employed. If my father allowed me then I would have not met with your mother today.

After walking for two to three hours I reached Bangma Ngyesa. We took race and then proceed towards the Bainangkhar Toe and finally we reached Nyinda, where my mother hailed from. Then we took rest for few minutes again where my father was running after me carrying three Khaws of Rice mixed with Kharang and Palang of Ara. He then appealed to the officials offered Rice, Kharang and Palang of Ara. They sent me back from Nyinda. That time the corruption exists in grassroots level. If my father’s bribe didn't work, then this time I would be ‘Dasho’³”. He took a sip of Suja. That was the situation in past where today it’s all contradictory.

To establish modern education in the country was very difficult tasks in Bhutan before 50 to 60 years ago, where these days everyone is running towards the school. Now children enrolled in the schools were drastically increasing and the numbers of schools were also increasing. But the private schools were not there during late 1960s and dawn of 1980s as government took the initiatives over the private schools during late 1950s.

The most emerging and inspiring development in modern education was due to the abundant initiation of Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck's First Five Year modernization Plan (1961-1966). There were some 108 schools in operations and enrolled about 15,000 students. Then year after year, the student enrolling in the school increased and more schools were established in the nook and corner of the country. The Father William Mackey played important role in establishing the schools in rural areas.

During those times, why women enrolling in schools was low? Aum Soenam from Mongar, who was 72 years old, chanting Vajra Guru sitting in front of Bus stand said. "When I was 16 year old girl, the school in Mongar was started. I was selected to study in school as first batch. But women enrolled in schools were very few. My mother didn't send me to school as 18 years old my brother was also selected. "If both of you are go to school, then who will look after me and your father. So, girl must not go to school and girls will not get job" said mother Tumchen. So, I was left illiterate. That was the main reason why I am not literate and now it’s just opposite where both men and women are holding the same posts. But why Lyoenpos are always men?" Aum Soenam recommended.⁴

That was the main reason women enrolling in the schools was low during 1960s. So, these days, the ratio of boys and girls are same and women enrollment in job is also same, which clearly shows the equity and justice in the modern educational system.

The educational system and schools were enhanced after setting our own curriculum for lower classes and numerous schools were upgraded to secondary schools. The facilities of the schools were tremendous and fabulous where Bhutanese students enjoyed the real development of education in true Bhutanese society. The government took initiatives in upgrading more schools to secondary and secondary to High schools; even new schools in remote areas of Bhutan were established with the foreign aids.

To enhance and improve and to stand on our own foot, Royal Government of Bhutan initiated the Teacher Training College in Paro and Samtse, Sherabtse College in Trashigang, RBIT in Rinchending, Phuentsholing, JNP in Deothang, S/Jongkhar. Several schools were set up within short span of time. The Curriculum and Professional Support Divisions (CAPSD), Bhutan Board of Examination (BBE) was set up. The diverse subjects and curriculums were set up for benefits for lower classes. But for secondary and high school, the ISC curriculum was followed.

RGoB, Ministry of Health and Education, Department of School Education encouraged the private entrepreneurs to come with proposal for Private schools in the Country again. The private entrepreneurs forwarded their proposal and the private school was established without government support.

Again the history of Private schools dates back during the Second King who paid for the expenses of Thinley Rabten School and in Haa School, where they considered as private schools. There were 30 private schools by late 1950s. In late 1980s again, the Private school was established by Former Assistant Auditor General Mr. Kelzang Thinley.

Initially, Kelki Higher Secondary School was established as Day care Nursery School in 1987, which is nestled in the heart of capital city. Now the Kelki stands as the premier private school in the history of Education. There were only 65 students enrolling in the first academic session, and then increased to 107 in next session. In 1999, the school was upgraded to Higher Secondary School where in 2000, first batch passed out with BB-ICSE⁵.

Then, thereafter, more private schools were established in and around the country to give equal opportunities for disqualified students to get enrolled in the schools. Now there are more than 25 private schools in the country including 13 High Schools. The new era in the process of educational arena is developing yearly.

Ministry of Health and Education had come up with more changes in education system in Bhutan within short span of time. Number of students enrolled in schools have reached lakes and hundreds and thousands Bhutanese and Indian Teachers were employed where the quality of education was enhanced. Classes X and XII exams were finally conducted by Bhutan Board of Education since 2004 and 2006 with the slide changes in the syllabuses.

But still Sherabtse College was under Delhi University. With the establishment of Royal University of Bhutan with Chancellor Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in 2003, where the secretariat was based in RIM, Semtokha, then the RUB initiated its own exams for the Degree students.

Then Royal University of Bhutan took initiatives over the colleges of Bhutan. Gaydu College of Business Administration was established in 2008. There were total of 11 government colleges and institutions under Royal University of Bhutan and only one Private college, Royal Thimphu College established in 2009. The names of the colleges were changed to existing names.

The additional new courses were set up in colleges. The thousands of Bhutanese students enrolled in the colleges were increased drastically. By June, 2011, RUB went autonomous and enrolled some thousands of students in colleges of RUB. Thousands of students under RUB and students studying in overseas were gazed after by Department of Adult and Higher Education, Ministry of Education. Ministry of Education was separated from Ministry of Health and Education in 2003.

Besides, students enrollment in schools, there were thousands of Adult Bhutanese were enrolled in Non-Formal Education in nook and corner of the country. The Adults who didn't get chance to go to school during childhood were enrolled. So, therefore the 'Reading and Writing' and the literacy rate increases. The Non-Formal Education scheme was started in 1992.

Today, the ministry took initiatives in enhancing the modern education system by encouraging every individual to enroll in the schools. During the first king and second king's time, the education system was not that much high-quality like what we are experiencing today. Only few students were enrolled but today we can't imagine.

During Second Druk Gyelpo's time, the civil servants were all from traditional Buddhist background, where today the civil servants know how to operate computers, and other technologically advanced machines. Those times there were only Buddhist monks or lay monks. Today, there is only few school or colleges in the country which gives traditional Buddhist teachings. Institute of Language and culture Studies, Semtokha which was shifted to Taktse, Trongsa and College of Indigenous Medicine, in Kawangjangsa. These two colleges train students all about Buddhist philosophy.

To develop Modern Bhutan with Science and technology, the college of Science and Technology and Jigme Namgyel Poly-technique were established. The two college gives training in various fields; Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering both degree and Diploma respectively. The new courses under these two were commenced.

The modern Education system of Bhutan is comparatively different from few decades ago. The quality of education, the enrollment of students, the numbers of schools and colleges, the well experienced faculty members, etc. were main factors for developing in terms of educational arena. The students in urban areas were far better than that of the rural areas, as students in urban areas enjoy the other resources where public library, entertainment centers and so on. The students in rural areas were below average and now coming up with good and inspiring results as well due to ministry's consistent support and encouragement.

The students of this modern Bhutan are creative, intelligent and brilliant where they can come up with new ideas and suggestions. The learning atmospheres of past and present are completely different. The students enjoy tremendous help and support from government and other Non Government Organizations, Foundations, etc. where students nation gets equal opportunities in all the fields.

The teaching and learning process in the class today is bearing comparative difference from past. The equipments used in past and today have got vast difference. The teachers and students have good mutual relations and have got inspiring mutual understandings.

The students plays an important role in the in the Bhutanese society as a real role model and educated men and women or boy and girl. The Education Ministry plays an important and significant role in promoting country's first elected government by educating the democracy.

In promoting democracy in the country is in the hands of our youth as after all today’s youth must become the leaders of tomorrow. The Ministers, Parliamentarian, high level dignitaries, officials, etc. consisted of highly educated men and women; therefore, it’s all contribution of Education Ministry.

The development in Education took place rapidly in very short span of time. Mr. Samten, 52 years old who was former clerk talks about it. "When I joined the school in 1971, at the age of 11, there were only few students enrolling in that school. I joined the school because teachers of Nakhardzong School insisted. I studied till class four, starting with Lower Kindergarten and Upper Kindergarten. When I was in class four, I was 17 years old then. I was promoted to next grade in following year. I was huge and tall and I was class captain too. One day, government official from Capital came in our school for job selection. The group of students sits for selection by writing something in paper. I have got nice handwriting and I was selected and my friends who were giants were also selected. I was placed in Gasa Dzong as clerk, and then my friends were sent to other dzongkhag as messenger. The pay scale was very low but anyway, I survived there" he said looking around the city of Thimphu.

“Then, I worked for couple of years and I resigned as government didn't accept my appellation letter of transfer to Thimphu. Then I got married to Thinley from Lhuntse. I then applied to work in Bhutan Telecom as technician. So, from there I resigned in late 1990s"⁶ he added smiling at me. That was the situation in Bhutan before scores of year. Now these days, the quality of education itself is good.

“Today I am worried about my children studying in remote areas of Haa, how they will be recruited in job as the minimum class to compete for job is class XII, where during my time it was just five or six with good handwriting. Now, the education system of Bhutan has improved a lot. The Education learners are intelligent, brave enough and brilliant, which shows tremendous change within decades. These days, numerous primary, secondary, high schools and colleges and institutions are well established" he appreciated the great change.

Now Bhutan is changing day after day, year after year in terms of advancement of Education. Therefore, education systems emerged from during First and Second King and after planned modernization were set up by Third King and finally enhanced by Fourth King and Fifth King. Today all most all the Bhutanese were literate and is increasing yearly and will go on increasing hereafter.