STEM education will become a key curriculum when the implementation of the National Education Policy begins. The curriculum will incorporate cutting-edge concepts such as Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. The Cabinet endorsed the policy last week, paving the way for its implementation. It is aligned with His Majesty The King’s Royal Kasho on Education Reform, issued in 2020.
Spanning early childhood care and development to lifelong learning, the National Education Policy encompasses all aspects of education.
It aims to prepare the nation’s education system to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century by prioritising inclusivity, quality, and sustainability.
The policy highlights the importance of incorporating STEM education at all levels through a comprehensive approach.
The policy recommends the integration of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Design Thinking, Robotics, Machine Learning, Computational Thinking, Augmented Reality, and Virtual Reality into students’ daily learning.
Additionally, the policy calls for ongoing professional development for teachers to enhance their skills in line with national priorities and the evolving STEM curriculum.
Besides, the policy recommends standardising infrastructure and other educational resources for ECCD, schools, TVET institutes, and higher education institutes, which will be reviewed periodically.
A National Education Council will come into existence that will review and update policies concerning education to align with the Royal Kasho, national development priorities, and global best practices.
Further, the council will recommend strategies to improve the quality, accessibility, and inclusivity of education at all levels.
Regarding examination and assessment systems, the policy recommends evaluating the depth of understanding and proficiency in applying that knowledge within real-world situations rather than assessing mere retention and recall of factual knowledge.
The Ministry of Education and Skills Development will outline a comprehensive approach to implement the National Education Policy. The ministry has drafted action plans for the policy, which has yet to be finalised. The policy is expected to be implemented from July next year.
Kinzang Lhadon
Edited by Phub Gyem
