According to andyeducation, the educational system in Bhutan is based on the principle of Gross National Happiness (GNH), which seeks to balance economic growth with spiritual, social and environmental development. The system is highly regulated by the Ministry of Education and Culture, which sets standards for curriculum, teacher qualifications and school facilities. All children in Bhutan are entitled to free basic education up to the age of 18 years old, although there are some exceptions. At the primary level, students attend school from ages 6 to 12 and receive instruction in core subjects such as mathematics, science, language arts, social studies and physical education. Secondary schooling lasts from ages 13 to 17 and includes both academic subjects such as mathematics and science as well as vocational training. At the end of secondary schooling, students must take a final examination set by the Ministry of Education in order to receive their School Leaving Certificate or Diploma. The government also offers a range of tertiary educational options including technical schools and universities for those wishing to pursue higher education. These institutions offer courses in a variety of fields such as medicine, engineering, business administration and computer science among others. In addition to formal education programs there are also a number of informal education opportunities available such as adult literacy classes which focus on teaching basic reading, writing and numeracy skills. In recent years there has been an increased focus on providing equitable educational opportunities for all citizens regardless of their socio-economic background or ability level through initiatives such as free tuition at all levels from pre-school through tertiary education as well as scholarships for those who demonstrate exceptional academic performance. Furthermore, there are also various specialised programmes available such as apprenticeship programmes which provide practical training in a variety of fields such as agriculture or engineering while also offering additional support services aimed at helping individuals reach their full potential regardless of their socio-economic status or ability level. Overall it can be seen that Bhutan has an effective educational system that is designed to promote holistic development while also providing equitable access to quality learning opportunities across all levels regardless of socio-economic status or ability level. See educationvv for Bhutan educational systems.
