𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐦 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭

…𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒏 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒖𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒈𝒍𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔

By Kezang Choden

The Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) is set to introduce significant reforms in the education sector, including the finalization of a National Teaching Service (NTS) framework and a potential shift to the Cambridge Curriculum. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to enhance the quality of education and align it with both national values and global standards.

Lyonpo Yeezang De Thapa, Minister of Education and Skills Development, shared that the NTS framework is currently being finalized in consultation with the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC). The framework is envisioned as a structured system designed to professionalize the teaching workforce through a competency-based approach to recruitment, continuous professional development, and career progression.

While the NTS will remain within the legal boundaries of the Bhutan Civil Service Rules (BCSR), it is expected to offer the ministry greater flexibility in managing human resources in the education sector. This reform aims to make the teaching profession more dynamic and responsive to changing educational needs, without compromising on the principles of meritocracy.

A key feature of the new system is a proposed pathway that would allow contract teachers to transition into the NTS. However, Lyonpo clarified that this pathway should not be misconstrued as a shortcut into the civil service. “For those aspiring to join the civil service, the Bhutan Civil Service Examination (BCSE) remains the standard route. There are no shortcuts,” she emphasized.

The NTS framework is expected to be finalized soon, with phased implementation planned for later this year. Once rolled out, it is anticipated to address longstanding concerns related to career progression and professional recognition among teachers, while also setting a higher benchmark for those entering the profession.

In a parallel development, the Ministry is reviewing the national school curriculum with the goal of aligning it more closely with international standards. Lyonpo stated that a decision regarding the adoption of the Cambridge Curriculum will be made by July. To support this, the Ministry has partnered with Cambridge University Press and Assessment, initiating a collaborative process to assess and enhance Bhutan’s current curriculum.

This partnership followed a field visit by Cambridge experts in March and April 2024 and is part of a larger education reform inspired by His Majesty The King’s vision- that Bhutanese children must be “locally rooted and globally competent.” The review process involves broad-based consultations with key stakeholders, including teachers, school leaders, curriculum experts, and education officials. Public input from parents and educators is also being actively sought to ensure the reforms reflect local needs and aspirations.

Initial feedback from Cambridge acknowledged the strengths of Bhutan’s existing national curriculum, particularly its holistic and values-driven approach. However, the alignment effort aims to further improve learning outcomes in foundational subjects and equip students with skills for lifelong learning and global citizenship- without losing sight of Bhutan’s unique cultural identity.

In addition to curriculum alignment, the Ministry is also working to reduce the academic burden on students. Lyonpo highlighted efforts to move away from textbook-heavy, rote learning approaches toward concept-based and integrated learning models. “These include reducing textbook loads and introducing more digital and streamlined resources,” she said.

By combining modern pedagogical practices with Bhutan’s traditional educational values, the Ministry hopes to deliver a curriculum that not only prepares students for the global stage but also reinforces their national identity. “Our goal is to deliver a curriculum that nurtures competent, values-driven citizens who can contribute meaningfully to Bhutan’s future while confidently engaging with the rest of the world,” Lyonpo said.