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Schoolgirls in Bhutan: Going to school, realizing their dreams

Boys and girls enjoying class together in Bhutan.

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THIMPHU, Bhutan, 04 November, 2004 - It's 7 a.m. in Thimphu, and the weekday rush has begun. At this hour it's not vehicles that crowd the streets of the kingdom's capital, but students. Scores of young children and teenagers - all in school uniforms - are heading to their classes in the city's primary and secondary schools.

Ten years ago the scene was notably different - as it was throughout the country. There were fewer schools and far fewer students, and most of those male. Since the 1990s, the Royal Government of Bhutan, in partnership with international agencies like UNICEF, has made primary education and literacy a priority.

The number of schools is increasing every year. The number of students has more than doubled since 1990, and girls' enrolment is expanding steadily. In this remote country, where women were once thought to be of greater value labouring for their families than studying.

"Girls education is the key to development. Take health, poverty, etcetera. Girl's education is at heart of all. Because an educated mother ensures that children are educated. And an educated mother can contribute to care of kids and economics of family. Investing in girl's education is a pivotal function of all development initiatives," said UNICEF Representative in Bhutan, Anoja Wijeyesekera. "Literacy rate is low for women because of late entry of women into education.  But with acceleration of girls' education by government for education for all, literacy rate will improve significantly."

Nearly half the students at this school are girls.

Girls realize their dreams at school

The Chapcha Community Primary School, in the mountain village of Chhuka, is typical of Bhutan's dedication to universal primary education. New classrooms and sanitation facilities were added last year, in part owing to UNICEF donations. Fully half the students are female. For most, getting to class means a ninety minute trek uphill - in Himalayan weather. 

Eleven-year-old Tsherin Zam has attended the Mirchem School for five years. She's now in fifth grade and excels at math and science. 

"Science is interesting because it helps day to day in every part of our lives and helps us measure and build. I want to become a civil engineer and construct houses. I'm happy that girls go to school because I can get educated and get a good job. I hope someday to send my own girl to school," said Tsherin. 

While the students' families have lived in the region for generations, most of the girls at Mirchem are the first females in their families to attend school or see the inside of a classroom.

But there remains a gap between girls and boys.

Among primary school going children in Bhutan, 52 per cent are boys and 48 per cent are girls. A recent study on primary education found that the major obstacles affecting girls' enrolment were distance, the need for girls to help at home, and the cost of sending children to school.

 "This country has no discrimination because the society values boys and girls the same. Every child has access to education. If you look at facility in remote community where there is no school - these areas are impeding girls from attending school. That is why the government and development partners, like UNICEF, are trying to bring schools to remote communities, especially, so girls can go to school," said UNICEF Education Officer in Bhutan, Pawan Jucita.

"Girls will have bright future after they complete primary and secondary education. And then they can participate in development activity, working with the government or in the private sector or become members of the national assembly. Gender equality is the key for development.starting with primary education  If boys and girls go to school, then they can do many things," adds Representative Jucita.

With funding, teacher training, and technical assistance from the government and international community, the Ministry of Education hopes to achieve gender parity by 2007. That means enrolling an additional forty thousand girls and women in primary schools and literacy programs. It's an ambitious goal - which UNICEF and its donors will continue to support.