Information and Communications Technology (ICT) will become the third Language for all classes in the country beginning 2021 academic session. This is to keep up with the rapidly changing digital world. Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering informed this while presenting the State of the Nation Report at the parliament session today.
Presenting the State of the Nation Report at the parliament today, the Prime Minister said works are underway to introduce coding as a compulsory subject from classes PP to XII. Towards this, a new ICT Curriculum Framework has also been developed.
“Until today, Dzongkha and English subjects are considered two of the main subjects to be eligible to progress to higher grades. But now, I have talked with the Education Minister, secretary and other education experts and have made ICT as the third language for all classes. You will not be promoted to the next grade if you fail in ICT subject,” said Lyonchhen.
The Prime Minister also added that all schools will be equipped with at least one computer lab each by March 2021. For now, over 270 ICT teachers and 118 general teachers have been trained to teach ICT in primary classes. Likewise, more than 400 additional teachers will be trained in the coming vacation.
Further, the Prime Minister announced that the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) will be formalised in mainstream education.
“I believe TVET is not included in mainstream education till now. But we will introduce a new project in TVET and promote it as part of mainstream education. It can be diploma, bachelors or a Masters program,” added the Prime Minister.
Presently, TVET is an optional subject in class IX introduced in seven pilot schools from this academic year. But, there are plans to roll out the program in classes X and XII from next year.
Passang Dorji
