Families in Bhutan got their first glimpse inside the country’s first international school. EtonHouse Bhutan International School held an experience day in the capital yesterday, inviting parents and children to meet educators and see firsthand how learning will come to life at the school.
From nursery through to the final years of high school, over 30 parents and children attended curriculum presentations and engaged directly with teachers to understand how and what their children will learn at the first international school.
Young children between three and six years will follow the Reggio Emelia Approach. It’s a student-centred early childhood educational philosophy that encourages children to learn through play, curiosity, and collaboration rather than a fixed, rigid timetable.
In their primary years, children aged six to eleven will follow the International Primary Curriculum combined with Singapore Mathematics with a strong emphasis on inquiry and creativity.
Meanwhile, students from 11 to 16 years will study the Cambridge Lower Secondary Curriculum and Cambridge IGCSE, an internationally recognised qualification accepted by universities around the world.
And for students in their final two years of school, aged 16 to 18, the school offers Cambridge International A-Levels, helping young people develop in-depth subject knowledge, independent thinking and critical problem-solving skills.
“This experience day is an opportunity for families to experience the heart of our school. To see the way learners learn, explore, ask questions, and connect with the world around them. Beyond classrooms and facilities of the school, this is what truly defines an EtonHouse International Education,” said Evelyn Tay, CEO, EtonHouse Bhutan International School.
Language is at the heart of the curriculum. Dzongkha will be integrated as a core component of learning. English will be taught to build confidence in speaking, reading and writing. And Mandarin has been included to help students develop linguistic competence and a global mindset from an early age.
According to EtonHouse Bhutan, the school aligns with Bhutan’s vision to nurture world-class talent while staying grounded in the country’s cultural heritage and the principles of Gross National Happiness.
EtonHouse International Education Group brings three decades of global experience to Bhutan. It currently operates across eight countries with 100 campuses, 18,000 students and 3,700 staff, including schools in China, Indonesia, Japan and Malaysia.
EtonHouse International School is set to open its doors in Bhutan in August this year, alongside Thailand.
Kelzang Chhophyel
Edited by Sonam Pem
