International Influence and Support for Educational Development in Bhutan

Abstract

In 1913, the first ‘Western model’ school was established in the Haa District of Western Bhutan and a mobile school in Bumthang two years later. By 1959, the Royal Government planned to make school education available to the general population. However, the general population had reservations about the ‘Western model’ of education. The main goal of education was to improve the well-being of the people and to meet the need for a trained workforce for the new ‘modernized’ economic development programmes. The Royal Government was faced with the problem of unavailable consumables for schools, a shortage of teachers, and a lack of funds to build schools and to pay the teachers. As these challenges were being addressed with the goodwill, support, and cooperation of the United Nations, national governments, non-government organisations, and individuals, there arose more problems endemic to a growing system. With the help of a number of supporters, Bhutan has been able to make remarkable progress in education, as well as in other sectors. The last four decades of the twentieth century have been a stage of hardships and progress for the people of Bhutan, but under the astute leadership of the Kings, Bhutan is now almost self-sufficient in human resource needs. This chapter will explain how the Bhutanese education system developed through the assistance of the international community.