Bhutanese education systems: A look toward the future

Abstract

As we move forward in an age of globalization, many nations are finding the need to reevaluate the state of higher education within their country. Bhutan is an especially interesting case to examine because of its unique position in the world as the only nation that functions not on Gross Domestic Product, but on Gross Domestic Happiness, a national consciousness which aims to meld the spiritual and cultural with economic development. The hope is that this belief system will allow for modernization that allows for the self-selection of the best modernity has to offer in terms of telecommunication, travel, access to information, but at the same time create an economic development system that will be sustainable and culturally relevant In the past Bhutan, the land of the Thunder Dragon has been a comparatively isolated country, in part because of its geographic location, sandwiched between two giants, India and China within the Himalayan mountains, and in part because of the desire of the nation's leaders to maintain the pristine environment of the area and harmony between its peoples. However, in the recent past, as a response to globalization and large technological advances, a shift has been made by the government to make Bhutan more visible internationally with several trade delegations visiting other countries as well as large-scale preparations for the official coronation of the new king in 2008 and the switch from a monarchy to a democracy. In order to better understand the nature of the higher educational system in Bhutan, a short overview is needed of the entire educational system. Traditionally, the only formal educational institutions available were monastic in nature. The educational model currently in place growing from British and Indians models is comparable to the Western education model and is a relatively modern phenomenon. Education in Bhutan follows a national curriculum and a little known fact is that the Western educational model is taught in English with the exception of the national language, Dhzongka. The Bhutanese education system has functioned in the following manner © 2009 Springer Netherlands.