On April 30, 2024, the European Union and UNICEF announced a new partnership to support digitalisation in education and skills in Bhutan. This partnership was announced at the closing of a two-day stakeholder consultation workshop to develop a comprehensive education technology framework that will identify and address digital exclusion and generate evidence on 21st-century skills.
Under the partnership, the European Union will provide Euro one million to improve children’s learning experiences and skills development, contributing to greater employability and economic growth and reducing disparities. The STEM and Innovation Division of the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD), Royal Government of Bhutan, will implement the initiative along with UNICEF.
As of 2023, around 66.9.8 per cent of youth in Bhutan in the age group 15-24 years lack digital skills, and 79.8 per cent of youth are without secondary level education skills according to the World Skills Clock, which monitors learning and skills trajectories globally and at the country level using a real-time data model.
The three-year programme complements existing initiatives of the Royal Government of Bhutan towards creating an enabling environment for the digital transformation of primary, secondary and TVET (technical and vocational education training) education in the country. It is a response towards bridging the digital divide learners experienced during the pandemic. The initiative will specifically strengthen systems for an enriched and high-quality digital learning experience with improved digital governance and policy environment towards inclusive quality education and skills for children, enhance the capacity of stakeholders, teachers, parents and students in digital skills, cybersecurity and online safety and digital content development, and test and implement suitable and feasible connectivity models for digitalisation.
“The digitalisation of education is essential for helping our students develop the critical 21st-century skills they will need to succeed in the modern, technology-driven world. These skills include critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, creativity, and digital literacy – all of which are indispensable for our students to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the future,” said MoESD, Karma Galay, Director General of the Department of School Education.
It is important that people know how to navigate the digital world in order to deliver technology that works for them.
“EU is pleased to support Bhutan on its digital transition journey. This initiative is a step towards empowering the youth by strengthening digitalisation in education and skills, for inclusive socio-economic development by ensuring systems, capacity and connectivity models are in place to enhance digital learning,” stressed Minister and Chargé d’ Affaires a.i., Delegation of the European Union to India and Bhutan, Seppo Nurmi. “Given the pervasive role of digital technology, improving digital skills would boost Bhutan’s economic competitiveness while promoting social equality,” added Nurmi.
UNICEF Bhutan Representative Andrea James said this partnership comes as Bhutan transforms its education system following His Majesty’s vision. It has come at a time of transitions and transformations, all of which are set towards a vision of a developed Bhutan.
“In the digital environment, all children’s rights are interconnected. As partners, it is our responsibility, along with parents and caregivers, to mitigate the harms and expand the opportunities digital technology makes possible,” Andrea James said.
Digital learning solutions must be created and deployed to foster inclusive learning for all children. To achieve this goal, the MoESD and its partners will select ten schools in Bhutan and involve 2,000 students to experiment with appropriate and viable connectivity models for digitalisation and scaling up.
