𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐏𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐦

…𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

By Kezang Choden

The Bhutan Council for School Examinations and Assessment (BCSEA) has officially released the results for the 2024 Bhutan Higher Secondary Education Certificate (BHSEC) and Language and Culture Studies Certificate (LCSC) examinations. The examinations, conducted last year, involved thousands of students across Bhutan, and the results highlight a mix of successes and challenges within the country’s education system.

In total, 8,996 students appeared for the Class 12 BHSEC examination, while 12,767 students participated in the Class 8 common examination. Additionally, 59 students took the LCSC Class 12 examination. The results reveal varying performance trends, with some levels experiencing declines in pass rates, while others showcased remarkable achievements in specific schools and streams.

The overall pass rate for the Class 8 common examination stands at 71.32 percent, which represents a decline of 4.67 percentage points compared to the previous year’s pass rate of 75.99 percent. This drop highlights concerns around the performance of younger students at the national level, signaling the need for intervention to improve foundational education standards.

In contrast, the Class 12 BHSEC examination achieved a pass rate of 87.70 percent, showing a slight decrease of 1.39 percentage points from the 2023 pass rate of 89.09 percent. The decrease, while marginal, indicates a small drop in overall performance for senior secondary students in Bhutan.

However, the LCSC Class 12 examination saw significant success with a perfect 100 percent pass rate, reflecting a 1.20 percentage point improvement over the previous year’s 98.80 percent pass rate. This achievement highlights the strength of the LCSC program, which focuses on Bhutanese language and cultural studies, and it sets an example of academic excellence.

In terms of stream performance, the Arts stream recorded the highest pass rate with 95.25 percent, followed by Commerce at 83.85 percent and Science at 83.35 percent. While the Arts stream showed strong results, both the Commerce and Science streams experienced slight dips compared to previous years, particularly in mathematics.
A consistent challenge identified in this year’s results is the performance in mathematics. Despite improvements in other subjects, mathematics remains a subject where students have struggled, as reflected in the lower performance statistics. The drop in mathematics pass rates has raised concerns among education officials, and several factors have been cited for the decline.

Lyonpo Yeezang De Thapa, the Minister of Education and Skills Development, acknowledged the lower performance in mathematics and expressed concern over the subject’s perception and teaching methods. “Mathematics is often viewed as a secondary subject compared to other fields like Science and Arts,” Lyonpo Yeezang stated. “This perception could be one of the reasons why performance in the subject remains lower than in others.”

The Minister further highlighted that there is a shortage of qualified mathematics teachers in some regions, contributing to the challenge. “We are facing difficulties in ensuring that qualified teachers are placed in schools, especially in rural areas, and this may impact the overall quality of mathematics education,” she explained.

To address these issues, the Ministry is focusing on teacher training, particularly in subjects like mathematics. “We are planning comprehensive training programs to help teachers improve their teaching methods and make mathematics more engaging and accessible for students,” Lyonpo Yeezang added.

The Ministry also emphasized the need for a more supportive environment for mathematics, both in schools and at home. “Parents and school leadership need to play a more active role in encouraging students to engage with the subject and find innovative ways to make it more interesting,” the Minister suggested.

Additionally, Lyonpo Yeezang pointed out that one initiative aimed at improving student engagement in mathematics is the Gyalsey Mathematics Competition, which has gained popularity in recent years. “The competition has encouraged students to actively participate in mathematics and celebrates their academic achievements,” she noted.
Despite the overall challenges, several students and schools have excelled, showcasing the potential for academic success in Bhutan’s education system. Among the notable achievements was Yoeseltse Higher Secondary School in Samtse Dzongkhag, which maintained a remarkable 100 percent pass rate for the Class 12 BHSEC examination. All 22 students who appeared for the exam passed, marking a significant milestone for the school.

Principal Pema Tshewang attributed this success to the collective efforts of teachers, students, and the school’s enhanced facilities. “Our teachers were incredibly dedicated, and they put in extra hours to ensure students received the support they needed,” said Pema Tshewang. “Even though some teachers were less experienced in specific subject areas, their commitment and collaboration with students contributed to this achievement.”

The school also introduced innovative teaching methods, such as ICT-based learning, which helped to foster a more engaging environment for students. “Classrooms were equipped with projectors and televisions to make lessons more interactive, and we also ensured that students received regular career counseling to support their overall development,” he added.

In addition to the impressive achievements of schools, several students have emerged as national toppers in their respective streams, further underscoring the potential of Bhutanese students.

Pema Tshogyel from Karma Academy in Paro Dzongkhag topped the Arts stream with a score of 89 percent. “This achievement was completely unexpected, but it is an incredible milestone in my life,” said Pema. “I am deeply grateful to Karma Academy for their exceptional guidance, unwavering support, and constant encouragement throughout my academic journey.”

Pema attributed her success to the nurturing environment provided by her school. “The faculty at my school supported me every step of the way, which made all the difference in achieving this result,” she added.

Pema, who plans to pursue a career in law, emphasized the importance of perseverance and dedication. “This accomplishment has motivated me to aim higher and contribute meaningfully to society,” she stated.

In the Commerce stream, Thinley Dema from Motithang Higher Secondary School in Thimphu achieved a remarkable 88.50 percent, securing the top spot. Thinley expressed her gratitude for the support she received from her school. “I am overwhelmed by the news and proud to uphold the name of my school,” said Thinley. “This success is not mine alone but belongs to everyone who has supported me, especially my teachers and family.”

Thinley acknowledged that her teachers’ dedication and her family’s encouragement played a crucial role in her success. “This achievement is a testament to the power of hard work and a strong support system,” she said. “Only through persistent effort, discipline, and focus can you achieve such results.”

Rigzin Namgay from Ugyen Academy in Punakha Dzongkhag topped the Science stream with an outstanding 90.75 percent. Rigzin, who aspires to become a doctor, credited his success to his teachers and the school’s strong academic environment. “This achievement is not only my success but also a reflection of the unwavering support and mentorship provided by Ugyen Academy,” said Rigzin.

Rigzin expressed his delight over the result and spoke about his future aspirations. “I have always dreamed of becoming a doctor, and I hope to pursue an MBBS program,” he stated. “This achievement motivates me to work even harder toward that goal.”

In the LCSC, Chimi Wangchuk from Taktse Central School in Trongsa Dzongkhag achieved a top score of 93.75 percent. Chimi, who aims to become a teacher in the future, credited his success to the support of his family and teachers. “This success is a reflection of the support and trust placed in me by my family and teachers,” he said.

Chimi expressed his deep appreciation for the opportunity to receive free education, a privilege he holds in high regard. “I want to give back to society by helping students grow and develop just like I did,” he said.

While the results for the 2024 BHSEC and LCSC examinations reveal areas of concern, particularly in mathematics, they also highlight significant achievements. The Ministry of Education is committed to addressing these challenges by improving teacher training, fostering student engagement, and creating a more supportive environment for subjects like mathematics.

The remarkable successes of students like Pema Tshogyel, Thinley Dema, Rigzin Namgay, and Chimi Wangchuk, as well as schools like Yoeseltse Higher Secondary School, offer hope and inspiration for the future. Their achievements reflect the dedication, hard work, and resilience of Bhutanese students, teachers, and schools.

As Bhutan’s education system continues to evolve, the BCSEA and the Ministry of Education remain focused on addressing challenges while celebrating the success of those who excel. With continued investment in teacher development and student engagement, Bhutan’s educational future looks promising.