Event Highlights: KIX Bhutan National Education Uptake Forum

The KIX EMAP Hub organised the KIX Bhutan National Education Uptake Forum on 13 and 14 March 2025, in partnership with the Royal Government of Bhutan’s Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) and Samtse College. The National Uptake Forum was attended by over 400 in-person and online participants over both days, including representatives from the MoESD and other governmental agencies, academia and civil society.

The KIX Bhutan National Education Uptake Forum aimed to share KIX’s work with key stakeholders, develop stronger relationships between educational institutions, and further the connection between GPE KIX, Bhutan’s Ministry of Education and Skills Development and key education stakeholders.

Day 1: Opening Session

The Bhutan National Education Uptake Forum opened with the Marchang ceremony. This was followed by welcoming remarks from Kinley Seden (Dean of Research and Industrial Linkages and Assistant Professor, Samtse College of Education), Liudmila Lefter (Education Specialist, Chief of Education, UNICEF Bhutan), Sangay Jamtsho (Senior Program Officer, International Development Research Centre) and José Luís Canêlhas (Director, KIX EMAP Hub). The Chief Guest, Dasho Tshewang Chophel Dorji (Secretary, MoESD), then gave the introduction speech.

Day 1: Keynote Address 1

The welcome session was followed by a first keynote speech, “Mental Health and Education” from Dasho Dechen Wangmo (Head, The Pema Secretariat).

Day 1: Thematic Session 1: Strengthening Learning

After the keynote, the day featured the first thematic panel session on “Strengthening Learning”. This session was moderated by Phub Singye Namgay (KIX EMAP National Coordinator for Bhutan and Planning Officer, Policy and Planning Division, MoESD). Bishnu Mishra (Education Officer, UNICEF Bhutan) acted as the discussant. This panel featured four presentations:

“Quality as a key determinant of effectiveness in ECCD centres” by Karma Gayleg (ECCD Specialist, Department of School Education, MoESD)
“Curriculum models (CBA, BB to Cambridge models)” by Bhoj Raj Rai (Curriculum Specialist, Curriculum Development Centre, MoESD)
KIX EMAP case study: “Integration of 21st century skills into the Bhutanese curriculum” by Phuntsho Norbu (Curriculum Developer, Curriculum Development Centre, MoESD) and Team
KIX research project: “Enhancing data utilization and decision-making in Bhutan’s education system: Motherboard Integrated Education Management Information System (MIEMIS)” by Gembo Tshering (Lecturer, Paro College of Education) and Saroj Thapa (Druk Gyalpo Institute)

Day 1: Keynote Address 2

The first day concluded with a second keynote address, “Embodying the Four Immeasurable Qualities of Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity in Teaching-Learning Practices: A Collaborative Action Research Case Study” from Kezang Sherab (Dean of Research and Industrial Linkages and Associate Professor, Paro College of Education).

Day 2: Thematic Session 2: Gender Equality and Social Inclusion

The second day opened with two parallel thematic sessions. The second thematic session was on “Gender Equality and Social Inclusion.” It was moderated by Chencho Lhamu (Dean, Development and External Relations, Royal Thimphu College). The discussant was Deki C Gyamtso (Teacher Educator and former Associate Professor, Paro College of Education). This panel featured four presentations:

KIX research project: “Promoting gender equality and social inclusion in schools building on what children value and aspire to do and be” by Tshering Om Tamang (Lecturer, Samtse College of Education) and Kinley Seden (Dean of Research and Industrial Linkages and Assistant Professor, Samtse College of Education)
KIX research project: “Effectiveness and Scalability of Programs for Children Who Are Out of School and at Risk of Dropping Out in Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal” by Karma Jigyel (Assistant Professor and Programme Leader for Master of Education in Inclusive Education, Paro College of Education)
KIX research project: “The Impact of Gender and Inclusive Pedagogies on Students’ Participation and Learning Achievement at Secondary School During the Pandemic and Beyond” by Sonam Wangmo (Lecturer, Samtse College of Education)
KIX EMAP case study: “Increasing Women’s Representation in School Leadership in Bhutan” by Sapna Thapa (Assistant Lecturer, Samtse College of Education)

Day 2: Thematic Session 3: Teacher Professional Development

The third thematic session focused on “Teacher Professional Development”. The panel was moderated by Dawa Choden (Assistant Program Officer, Teacher and Educational Leadership Division, MoESD). Dorji Wangchuk (DRIL, Paro College of Education) served as the discussant. The panel featured three presentations:

KIX research project: “Connected learning for teacher capacity building in STEM” by Reeta Rai (Lecturer, Samtse College of Education)
KIX EMAP case study: “Secondary Teacher Workforce Management in Bhutan” by Tashi Zangpo, (Curriculum Developer, MoESD)
KIX EMAP case study: “Scaling Teacher Professional Development in Bhutan” by Yangdon (Lecturer, Samtse College of Education)

Day 2: Panel: Improving Teaching Learning through Action Research

The afternoon featured a session on “Improving Teaching Learning through Action Research”, moderated by Kezang Sherab (Dean of Research and Industrial Linkages and Associate Professor, Paro College of Education). The panel featured two presentations:

“Impact of Bhutanese Sign Language Exposure on Communication Skills of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Students” by Sonam Choden (Teacher, Wangsel Institute for the Deaf, Paro)
“De-mystifying the Influence of PhET Simulation on Engagement, Satisfaction, and Academic Achievement of Bhutanese Students in the Physics Classroom” by Tshering Dorji (Teacher, Shari Higher Secondary School, Paro)

Day 2: Panel: Discussion on Global Perspectives

The final session of the National Uptake Forum was a panel discussion on global perspectives. Moderated by Karma Jigyel (Lecturer, Paro College of Education), the panel featured four international speakers:

Pakistan: Sajid Ali (KIX EMAP National Coordinator for Pakistan and Amir Sultan Chinoy Associate Professor and Director of Research and Policy Studies, Institute for Educational Development, Aga Khan University)
Maldives: Visal Moosa (KIX EMAP National Coordinator for Maldives and Senior Lecturer, Islamic University of Maldives)
Maldives: Aishath Hassan (KIX National Steering Committee Chair for Maldives and Education Development Professional, Ministry of Education)
Nepal: Binayak Krishna Thapa (Project Leader, KIX research project “Promoting gender equality and social inclusion in schools building on what children value and aspire to do and be” and Assistant Professor, Kathmandu University)

Day 2: Closing Session

The KIX Bhutan National Education Uptake Forum closed with concluding messages and a short ceremony of awarding certificates. Marina Dreux Frotté (Education Policy, Evaluation and Learning Lead, KIX EMAP Hub) highlighted the key messages that surfaced during the Forum. Finally, Aditi Desai (Knowledge Lead, KIX EMAP Hub), Phub Singye Namgay (KIX EMAP National Coordinator for Bhutan and Planning Officer, Policy and Planning Division, MoESD) and Sangay Lhamo (Research Officer, Samtse College of Education) gave closing remarks.

The KIX EMAP Hub will soon publish a forum synthesis report with key takeaways and resources for institutions and partners in Bhutan. Visit the Bhutan country page for updates on in-country work.

KIX Bhutan National Education Uptake Forum featured in the news: