Agency: The National Education Policy (NEP) was developed in line with the Royal Decree issued by His Majesty The King on 17th December 2020, which called for urgent reforms in Bhutan’s education system.
The Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) has officially published the policy after extensive consultations and analysis of past policies.
Under the NEP, the minimum entry age for Pre-Primary (PP) is six years, and the school year will have at least 180 academic days, with adjustments for seasonal and local factors.
The first three years of primary education (up to age eight) will ensure a smooth transition from ECCD, focusing on literacy, numeracy, and early exposure to ICT, sciences, arts, climate change, and health, while integrating values education and socio-emotional learning.
At the secondary level (Grades VII-X), students will develop advanced skills in languages, mathematics, sciences (including climate change), ICT, social studies, Rigzhung, TVET, and career education, preparing them to make informed academic choices by Grade X.
In Grades XI-XII, students can specialize in Arts, Commerce, Science and Technology, Rigzhung, and TVET, with flexibility to pursue individual interests.
A key provision of the NEP is free education up to the Grade X, including Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) programs, primary education, and secondary education. MoESD states, “There will be free education up to the tenth standard for all children of school-going age, in line with constitutional provisions.”