Educational Policy Borrowing in the Bhutanese Education System

Abstract

This study focussed on analysing educational policy documents to understand the history and discourse of educational policy borrowing practice in Bhutan's K-12 education system. The conceptual framework drew on theories of globalisation and the theory of discourse. An interpretivist methodology drawing on James Paul Gee's discourse analysis was employed to comprehend the education policy borrowing and policy learning practices within the K-12 education policies of Bhutan. The findings revealed that while there is a complex system of policy borrowing influenced by the phenomenon of globalisation, there are discourses that stress the importance of Gross National Happiness and local themes. The study concludes by stating that policy borrowing and policy learning are important aspects of Bhutanese education policy.