EtonHouse Bhutan International School, the country’s first international school, formally opened in Thimphu today. The school, with classes from Kindergarten to 12, plans to expand enrolment from next year, as its facilities develop.
The school officially began operations with its first cohort of nine students enrolled in classes ranging from Kindergarten to six.
Seven teachers, including three expatriates and four Bhutanese, welcomed the batch.
The school will expand enrolment in phases. It will continue admissions for preschool and primary students, while the first group of secondary students will join in January next year. More students in higher grades are expected to join from August 2027.
“We’ll continue to take admissions for primary and preschool. That means from age three up to age 11, but we do have a special group of students joining us in January 2027. They will enter the first year of secondary. We call them our Year Seven students,” said Michael Leahy, EtonHouse Bhutan International School’s Founding Principal. “In August 2027, we will also take our first student learners for our upper primary or upper secondary grades of years eight and nine and possibly year 10.”
Although the EtonHouse International Education Group did not disclose the fees, they said it depends on the services parents choose. Currently, the services include transportation and food. However, the school is offering a concessional rate for Bhutanese students.
The school management says that offering international-standard education within the country could contribute to national development while giving students access to global learning opportunities.
Michael Leahy said, “International education can provide a benchmark for other schools within the country to learn from. It provides an opportunity for parents and children who might otherwise have gone overseas for education to have that international standard education within Bhutan itself.”
The school’s development is also being carried out in phases. Phase one, which is ongoing, includes the renovation of existing structures. The works are expected to be complete by September. The second phase will include the development of a special playground alongside other facilities.
Kelzang Chhophyel
Edited by Sangay Chezom
