Drawing inspiration from the Royal Kasho, Education Minister Jai Bir Rai said the ministry has developed the Education Roadmap for the 21st century which is about 80 per cent complete. Lyonpo shared this during the question hour session at the National Assembly today. The roadmap is a visionary document that will take care of reforms like education transformation, curriculum and ICT among others.
The Education Reform document will outline the challenges and issues faced, aspirations and potentials of the way forward for education in line with the Royal Kasho.
“One of the most important things we need is the Education Roadmap. This will be a valuable asset to produce potential citizens. We started developing the road map towards the end of 2019 and it’s about 80 per cent complete now. We have a few consultations left which we will carry out soon,” said the education minister.
Besides, in collaboration with the Royal Education Council, the ministry has revised the school curriculum to the New Normal Curriculum. The volume of the usual school curriculum has been reduced to 65 per cent in the new normal curriculum focusing on the core and essential goals.
The ministry also started the implementation of the Bhutan Baccalaureate developed at the Royal Academy at Pangbisa in Paro. The Bhutan Baccalaureate aims to do more than other curricula. It is expected to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed.
To begin with, in Phase-I, it’s being piloted in Dechenchholing Higher Secondary School and Wangbama Central School for the last three months this academic year. In Phase-II, the ministry in collaboration with the Royal Academy will roll out in 20 schools in each dzongkhag in the next academic year.
As a preparation for this, in July this year, principals and two teachers from every 20 schools are planned to undergo a two-week programme orientation and capacity development on Bhutan Baccalaureate and designing the roadmap for transitioning in the respective schools.
Similarly, in the third week of July this year, 66 new teachers will go through a six-month Diploma programme. In addition, starting January next year, Dzongkhag and thromde education officers and two additional teachers will attend the programme at the Royal Academy.
The ministry in collaboration with RIGSS commenced a two-week School Leaders Development Program (SLDP) course for all school principals in the country beginning June this year to address the leadership competency gaps.
The Royal Kasho given on education reform decrees that a time-bound council for education be established to prepare a visionary and workable roadmap for the 21st century.
Sonam Pem
