Bhutan - Education system
INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS
Types of higher education institutions:
College
Polytechnic
Institute

School leaving and higher education credentials:
Indian School Certificate
Certificate
Diploma
Bachelor's Degree

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM
Pre-higher education:
Structure of school system: 
Primary
Type of school providing this education: Preparatory Class (PP), Primary School, Community School (Grades I-VI)
Length of program in years: 7 
Age level from: 6 to: 13
Certificate/diploma awarded: AA Bhutan Primary  Certificate Examination
Lower Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Junior High School (Grades VII-VIII)
Length of program in years: 2 
Age level from: 13 to: 15
Certificate/diploma awarded: National Examination
Technical Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Technical Centres
Length of program in years: 3 
Age level from: 15 to: 18
Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma
Upper Secondary
Type of school providing this education: High School (Grades IX-X)
Length of program in years: 2 
Age level from: 15 to: 17
Certificate/diploma awarded: Grade X Examination
Higher Secondary
Type of school providing this education: High School (Grades XI-XII)
Length of program in years: 2 
Age level from: 17 to: 19
Certificate/diploma awarded: Indian School Certificate
School education:
Primary education covers the preparatory class and Grades I to VI, leading to the All Bhutan Primary Certificate Examination. Secondary education comprises general academic as well as technical and vocational education. Lower secondary education is part of basic education and covers Grades VII and VIII. It is provided in junior high and high schools. General higher secondary education comprises two years of high school education (Grades IX and X), provided in all high schools, and two years of pre-university classes (Grades XI and XII), provided in selected high schools. At the end of Grade X, students have to sit an examination which is conducted jointly by the Bhutan Board of examinations and the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations of Delhi. Until 1996, the Grade X-level examination was conducted by the Council in Delhi. The Council continues to conduct, at Grade XII level, the Indian School Certificate Examination.  In 1999 the Technical and Vocation Education Section (TVES) of the Division of Education started the creation of nine vocational centres. In addition to providing basic vocational training to school-leavers seeking employment, these centres are expected to promote vocational skills among students. The vocational centres will be based in schools and institutions and provide training programmes adapted to local demands. In addition, TVES is expected to provide mobile technical staff to support these programmes.
Higher education:
Higher education is offered at Sherubtse College, affiliated with Delhi University, the National Institute of Education and the Royal Bhutan Polytechnic at Deothang, which provides higher vocational education.
Academic year: 
Classes from: Mar to: Dec
Languages of instruction: English
Stages of studies:
Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type): 
Non-university level:
The Royal Institute of Management offers courses in Accountancy, Stenography, Management and Computer Programming. The Royal Bhutan Polytechnic at Deothang offers three-year Diploma courses in Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering to candidates who have passed class X. It also offers two-year Certificate courses in surveying and draughtsmanship. The Royal Technical Institute offers lower secondary school leavers (Grade VIII) five-year courses in Building Construction, Electrical Trades, General Mechanics and Motor Mechanics. Students who complete the course are awarded a Certificate. Various government departments offer Certificate and Diploma courses at the Agricultural Training Institute, the Forestry Institute, the Health School and the Veterinary Training Institute.

University level studies: 
University level first stage: Bachelor's Degree:
Bachelor's Degrees are conferred in Arts, Commerce and Science after three years to students who have passed the Class XII examination. The National Institute of Education confers a Bachelor of Education after three years.
University level second stage: Postgraduate Certificate:
The National Institute of Education offers a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

Teacher education: 
Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers
Primary school teachers take a two-year Certificate course after Grade X at the National Institute of Education or at the Teacher's Training College at Paro. The course is assessed by course work (50%) and examination (50%) and leads to a Primary Teacher's Certificate. A Bachelor of Education (primary) course has been offered since 1994.
Training of secondary school teachers
The National Institute of Education offers a three-year Bachelor of Education course. Admission is based on a Class XII Certificate or the Indian School Certificate. A Postgraduate Certificate in Education is also conferred on candidates with a first degree.

Non-traditional studies: 

NATIONAL BODIES
Administration & co-ordination: 
Responsible authorities: 
Ministry of Education and Health
Head: Jigmi Singay, Minister
Administrative officer: Sangay Thinley, Secretary
P.O. Box 108
Thimphu
Bhutan
Tel: +975(2) 322-602  +975(2) 322-351
Fax: +975(2) 324-649

Role of governing body: With the restructuring of ministries, the Ministry of Health and Education was bifurcated into two separate ministries - Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education.  The Ministry of Health is composed of two departments - Department of Medical Services and Department of Public Health headed by the Directors. The Departments are further divided into Divisions and Sections.

ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Admission to university-level studies
Name of secondary school credential required: Indian School Certificate

GRADING SYSTEM
Usual grading system in secondary school
Full Description: The minimum and maximum marks vary according to subject.
Main grading system used by higher education institutions
Full Description: 40%-100% 60-100% First Division/Class; 50-59% Second Division/Class; 40-49% Third Division/Class
Highest on scale: 100%
Lowest on scale: 40%

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Data for academic year: 2001-2002
Source: International Association of Universities (IAU), updated from IBE website, 2001 (except for Ministry of Education and Health, updated 2003)