Unit 3 Chapter 2

Unit Three-Chapter 2

Development of Modern Education

Introduction

·         Education an important factor for the growth for the society

·         Education played an important role in the religious life for centuries and continues to be so today.

·         Education steered Bhutan to its attainment of GNH

Forms of Education in Bhutan

1.      Monastic Education

·         Monks, Nuns and the Gomchens

2.      Western Education

·         School going Children

3.      Non Formal Education

·         Village elders and women including people in the remotest village

1. Monastic Education in Bhutan

·         Monastic education in Bhutan has been playing a vital role in shaping the cultural and social life of the people.

·         The advent of Buddhism in Bhutan in the early 7^th century not only brought about a religious transformation of the people and set about a processes of historical evolution but also set in motion the growth of education.

·         The monastic education was only formalized in the 17^th century and it played a vital role in the development of the education system in Bhutan.

·         Zhabdrung ngawang Namgyal had  played  a vital role in the development processes like:

ü  He instituted first monk body in chari- 1622 which was headed by Pekar Juney with 30 numbers of monks and later Pekar Juney took the role as the first Head Abbot under the dual system of government.

ü  Zhabdrung also invited Lhawang Lodrey(Zhabdrung’s Tr.at Druk Ralung in Tibet) and contributed in the development of education

·         Since then Number of monk increased to 360 in the mid-17^th century, residing in the Punakha dzong.

·         Advent of Buddhism (7^th Century) brought a religious transformation to people

·         Frequent movement of Buddhist saint from Tibet (10^th) century contributed in the growth of Buddhist teaching.

·         Monasteries and temples became the centre of learning.

Contributions of Popular Saints

·         Phajo Drugon Zhigpo(1208-1275) belonging to the Drukpa Kagyud School established four medicinal centres in western Bhutan.

·         Kuenkhen Longchen Ramjam( Drimed woezar)-(1308-1363) from the Dzogchenpa or the school of Great perfection established eight centres of learning in Western and Central Bhutan

·         Drukpa Kuenley(1455-1529) regarded as the Divine Mad Man began his teachings in a relatively different manner from the other saints which reflected the very essence of Buddhism

Contributions of the Desis in the monastic Education

1Tenzin Drukda (2^nd Desi)

·         Study of medicine was introduced in Punakha Dzong

2 Tenzin Rabgay(4^th Desi)

·         Made compulsory for every household to send one boy as a monk tax

·         Established Tshenyi Dratshang for the monks to debate

·         Religious work on wooden block were printed and was later used by the monks as a reference

3 Sherab Wangchuk(13^th Desi)

·         Further implemented the monk Tax

Mode of Learning

·         Rote learning

·         Curriculum consisted of religious rituals, astrology, philosophy, logic, Grammar, Meditation, poetry and Painting.

·         Medium of instruction was choekey .(Classical Tibetan)

Modern Education in Bhutan

The beginning of the 20^th century marked the beginning of the modern education in Bhutan with theEnthronement of Wangchuk Dynasty. The years of internal strife and feuds among the rival factions that plagued the country came to an end and the stage was set for a new Bhutan. Monastic education was also equally given importance.

Advent of modern education in Bhutan

·         1914- Modern education was established/defined

ü  Students from Bhutan was sent to kalimpong and enrolled in Dr. Grahams Homes, a Scottish school.

ü  Modern school was opened at Haa

ü  1915-Another school was opened at Wangduecholing palace to groom the prince and few other boys

·         1952-Glorious chapter of modern education was started with the ascendancy to the throne of Jigme Dorji Wangchuk

·         1961-First Five year plan was started and modern education was give top priorities

Subject Learnt

ü  Hindi

ü  English

ü  Arithmetic

ü  Dzongkha

ü  Lessons was taught by Ugyen Dorji(Gongzim/Raja )

Progress of the modern Education

·         Planned development, a quick progress was made

·         Graduates helped in the administration and the technical personal needed in the country

·         1962-English became the medium of instruction

·         Curriculum was set up as per the international level

·         English, His, Eco, the three science, geo and math was included

·         1971 end of the second Five Tear Plan Bhutan had 102 schools including 15MSS, 5HSS and 2 Public Schools. One of the Public School was Sherutse College in Eastern Bhutan headed by Late Father William Mackey, a Jesuit Priest from Canada.

·         1973-A school for blind students was opened in Khaling with support from Norwegian Mission.

·         1975 TTC cum Demonstration School was established in Paro.

·         1978- Sherubtse Public school was upgraded into Junior college.

·         1983- Sherubtse was upgraded into full-fledged college in the kingdom.

·         2003- MOE was created separately which was earlier combined with the Ministry of Health

·         MOE comprises of four departments

a.       Department of school education

b.      Department of Adult and Higher education

c.       Dzongkha Development authority

d.      Department of youth, culture and sport

Achievements

·         School enrollment increased drastically

·         Number of school increased too

·         2003-School for deaf children was established in Drugyal which became a milestone in the development of education system in Bhutan

·         Establishment of special education resource at Changgangkha LSS by Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuk marked another effort if integrating disabled children in the mainstream education.

·         Multigrade teaching has also gained importance in remote villages in the attempt of achieving Education for all.

·         Wholesome education was also imparted through

a.       Competition in games and sports

b.      Scouts programme

c.       Value education programme

d.      Career education and counseling

·         To upgrade the teacher qualification and efficiency, many programmes have been introduced:

ü  Master’s degree in Education in management and leadership

ü  Bachelor’s degree in Education in Dzongkah distance Education

ü  Diploma in Management and Leadership at the National Institute of

ü  Education, Paro.

ü  Bachelor’s degree in Education at Distance Education mode at national Imstitute of Education, Samtse

ü  Postgraduate Diploma in English and Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Information System at Sherubtse College

·         1960- Schools in Bhutan were taught the syllabus which were taught in the Indian Schools

·         1970- the development of textbooks at primary level began with the introduction of Druk English series and Druk and Drukpa. The localization of textbooks for other subjects began steadily.

·         The ICT courses were also opened to expose the children the era of information and communication technology by supplying teaching of computer application course in 32 Higher Secondary Schools.

·         Another milestone changes in the modern education system is the localization of the class XII examination.

Royal University of Bhutan

·         By a Royal Decree, Bhutan moved a step ahead with the launching of her own University.

·         RUB was also set up at simtokha headed by chhotse poenlop with Zangley Drukpa as the vice Chancellor

·         June 2, 2003 colleges and institutes were set headed by lyonpo Sangay Needup as the interim Vice Chancellor. The current Colleges and Institutes of the RUB are:

ü  Sherubtse College, Kanglung

ü  Royal Bhutan Institute of Technology, Rinchending

ü  NIE, Samtse

ü  NIE,Paro

ü  Institute of Language and Cultural Studies, Simtokha

ü  Natural Resources Training Institute, Lobesa

ü  Royal Institute of Sciences, Thimphu

ü  Royal Institute of Traditional Medicine, Thimphu

ü  Royal Institute of Management, Thimphu