Education and Society in Bhutan: Tradition and modernisation

Bhutan's education sector has undergone recent reforms driven by the national development philosophy of Gross National Happiness, which aims to balance change with tradition. This book explores the history of education in Bhutan and the tensions between the curriculum and local knowledges, offering approaches to addressing them. It is based on extensive empirical data and is an invaluable resource for students and researchers interested in education policy, social and political reform, and South Asia Studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 138 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Bhutan's education sector has garnered global attention due to recent reforms driven by the national development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), which aims to balance change with tradition. This book delves into the history of education in Bhutan and uncovers the tensions that have emerged in the education sector as the country modernizes and becomes more globally connected, influenced by international and Western mores. The author explores how these tensions between the curriculum and local knowledges can impact teaching and learning and offers approaches to addressing them. Drawing on extensive empirical data, including in-depth interviews and classroom observations, Robles analyzes the discourses of high-level officials, education leaders, and teachers involved in the early development of the modern system of education in Bhutan. This book fills a gap in the literature and is an invaluable resource for students and researchers interested in the formation of education policy, social and political reform in Bhutan, and South Asia Studies.

Weight: 272g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367787295