Summary of Findings from Studies on Quality of Education

• Most children performed poorly on Math word problems (NEA, 2003)
• Most students scored less than 50% on both Math & English tests (NEA, 2006)
• Students in classes 2 & 4 showed less than expected competencies with some class 4 students below class 2 competency level (World Bank, BLQS, 2007)
• Very few teachers use child-centred teaching methods (NEA, 2003)
• Teachers have limited opportunities to update their knowledge & skills (NEA, 2003) and only half of teachers teaching Class 10 English had an academic qualification of a Bachelor’s degree; others had only class 12 (NEA, 2006)
• Teachers & Principals significantly overburdened with administrative work REC/IDI Research, 2008)
• Inappropriate modes of assessment (NEA, 2003) and “Pass-percentage” are dominant quality objective.
• Focus of education predominantly on coverage of syllabus, than learning by students, EMSSD Report, AEC, Paro.
• Many students are performing below expectations of their grade level on both basic and advanced academic skills and lack basic communication and analytical skills.  (REC/IDI Research, 2008)
• Most job seekers fail in communication & analytical skills needed for entry jobs (REC/IDI Research, 2008)

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NEA: National Education Assessment; BLQS: Bhutan Quality Learning Survey, World Bank