𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐀𝐢𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬

…𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒄𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒔, 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒚.

By Kezang Choden

Yeezang De Thapa, the Minister of Education and Skills Development, emphasized that the concept of central schools has been a key component of Bhutan’s education policy since the introduction of the first National Education Policy in 1974. Originally envisioned as centers of excellence, the model began with eight central schools and has since expanded to 63 schools across the country. Every dzongkhag now has at least one central school, with larger dzongkhags hosting up to three or four.

Despite this expansion, the minister acknowledged that after 50 years, no central school has fully realized the vision of academic excellence that was initially set. Addressing this issue, she highlighted that the government’s current focus is not on constructing new central schools but on enhancing and improving the existing ones. “This challenge is at the core of our ongoing reform efforts,” Lyonpo stated, emphasizing the need to strengthen the current system rather than expand it.

In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2024, the Ministry of Education is set to enhance the central school model to bridge educational disparities, optimize resource utilization, and provide high-quality education, particularly in rural areas. The initiative aims to reinforce the role of central schools as centers of academic excellence, ensuring that students, regardless of their socio-economic background, have access to equitable learning opportunities.

Central schools, introduced to provide a structured and well-supported learning environment, play a crucial role in delivering consistent education. These schools offer a range of essential facilities, including residential accommodations, well-equipped classrooms, and specialized support services such as counseling and pastoral care. By addressing not just academic needs but also students’ overall well-being, these schools help ease financial and logistical burdens on families, especially in remote areas where access to quality education remains a challenge.

The ministry’s initiative also focuses on improving infrastructure, enhancing teacher training programs, and integrating modern teaching methodologies to strengthen the quality of education in these schools. With an emphasis on holistic development, central schools will continue to provide students with a conducive environment that fosters academic growth, social development, and emotional well-being. By refining the central school model under NEP 2024, the government aims to create an inclusive and effective education system that ensures every child, regardless of location, receives the support and resources necessary to excel in their studies.

The Ministry is set to transform schools into centers of educational excellence through the introduction of a cluster approach, the integration of Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) programs with Grade 12 education, and the expansion of school autonomy. This initiative aligns with the national educational objectives under the 13th Five-Year Plan and global frameworks, ensuring sustainability, equity, and the delivery of high-quality education.

Under this new approach, schools will be empowered to make timely decisions on academic and administrative matters, allowing for more efficient resource allocation. This autonomy will enable schools to invest in critical areas such as infrastructure development, staff training, and sports facilities, ultimately enhancing the overall learning environment. The integration of ECCD into mainstream education is expected to provide students with a strong foundation, bridging early childhood learning with formal schooling. This move is in line with international best practices, ensuring that children receive the necessary cognitive, social, and emotional development from an early age.
The Ministry remains committed to ensuring that every child has access to quality education, reinforcing the country’s long-standing vision of an equitable and sustainable education system.

While digital classrooms play a crucial role in modern education, the Ministry emphasized that existing central schools will continue to be the backbone of the country’s education system. She stated that these schools provide a strong foundation for students, equipping them with essential skills to prepare for the future. The Ministry remains committed to strengthening both traditional and digital learning environments to ensure students receive a well-rounded education.

Efforts are underway to enhance central schools by improving infrastructure, curriculum, and teaching methodologies while integrating digital tools to complement classroom learning. Recognizing the evolving demands of education, the Ministry aims to strike a balance between conventional teaching methods and technological advancements. By leveraging digital classrooms alongside well-established central schools, the government seeks to provide equitable and high-quality learning opportunities for all students across the country.