The National Education Policy 2024 has been submitted to the Cabinet for endorsement according to the education and skills development minister. She disclosed this during the Meet the Press on Friday saying it will be immediately implemented after the endorsement. This policy aligns with His Majesty The King’s Royal Kasho on Education Reform granted in 2020 which will guide and reform the education system in Bhutan.
The National Education Policy 2024 will provide a comprehensive framework for all aspects of education, including Early Childhood Care and Development, school education, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training along with lifelong learning.
Yeezang De Thapa, Education and Skills Development Minister said “For the successful implementation of the National Education Policy, the ministry is working together with the RCSC to come up with the National Education Council which will be chaired by the prime minister.”
She added the ministry is also currently working with the RCSC to formalise the policy under the Civil Service Reform Act 2022.
Moreover, the minister shared that the policy aims to reduce the gap between rural and urban education.
It plans to consolidate schools into central clusters, offering integrated services from early childhood care and development to class 12. This will ensure equal access to education for all children and improve infrastructure in underserved areas.
The minister said “All central schools will be established as a centre for excellence which will have adequate facilities such as smart classroom, modern library, modern lab facilities, internet connectivity and digitisation will be available in the schools.”
Further, she said that the National Education Policy will prioritise teacher resource autonomy. This includes introduction of the National Teaching Service framework which aims to grant larger schools autonomy in staffing, budgeting, and curriculum priorities along with promoting local decision-making.
After the cabinet’sapproval, the Ministry of Education and Skills Development will implement the policy.
Singye Dema
Edited by Kipchu
