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Early Educators’ Professional Development: Experiences from Bhutan
Karma Gayleg
Ministry of Education
Bhutan
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Presentation Outline
• Background and context • Vision, policy, strategies, research, present status
• Status of Early Childhood Educators• Social status, professional status
• Competencies of Early Educators
• Professional Development of Early Childhood Educators
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Does ECD interventions for age 3-5 make a difference in children’s developmental outcomes?
Findings of the National ECCD Impact Study 2015
Bhutan National ECCD Impact Study 2015
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Differences in specific developmental areas
Bhutan National ECCD Impact Study 2015
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Bhutan Early Childhood Policy
Education Sector Vision 2020: All children aged 0-5 years will be supported to enhance their intellectual, emotional and physical development through a programme that enables them to grow in their familiar and natural environment.
Bhutan Education Blueprint: By 2024, 50% of all children aged 3-5 should have access to quality ECCD programmes
Sustainable Development Goal 4.2: By 2030 ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.
“The goodness of person is at its purest in the young and this is the rootfrom where all hope and optimism about the future springs”– HM Jigme KhesarNamgyel Wangchuck
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Age 6-8
Centre based programs
provided though private, work
place and community
(government supported) based
ECCD centres.
Parenting education as part of
these programmes
Interventions in schools to
improve teaching- learning
practices, particularly in
classes PP-II to help children
maintain and increase the gain
they made through ECCD
programmes and services and
also to enhance the readiness
of schools for children.
Age 0-2
Age 3-5
STRATEGIES
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The goal is to contribute to promoting:
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Quality ECCD Centre Programme
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Age Group
Type Coverage Remarks
0-2Piggy
backed
No statistics as Crèches are just beginning to
emerge
No government supported centres. work place based
and private child care centres
3-5 ECD centre based
18% (79% under
government support21% fee paying in private centres)
Programmes include early learning for children and parenting education for
families
6-8 Schoolbased
Universal (starting with one year formal pre-
primary)
Learning programmesdivided into subject areas
such as Math, English, EVS, etc.
Programmes & Interventions
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Professional Status of Facilitators/ Teachers/ Caregivers
Preschools (3-5)
Crèches (birth to 2)
Early Primary PP to II(6-8)
• Caregiver• No government sponsored centres as of now• Grade X passed and/or background in
Health/Education • Minimum Salary of Nu./Rs. 6000.00 per month
• Facilitator (• Grade XII passed • Monthly salary beginning at Rs/Nu. 8500.00 (soon
to be raised to 11500.00 per month)• Employment Status: Contract (
• Teacher• Bachelor of Education (4 years pre-service)• Monthly salary beginning at Rs/Nu. 15000.00• Employment Status: Regular/ Contract
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Competencies of ECCD Facilitators
Interaction & Relationships
Health, Safety & Nutrition
Family & Community Partnerships
Observation & Measurement of children’s progress
Curriculum & Learning Environment
Child Growth & DevelopmentUnderstand how children acquire and creative expression and develop physically, cognitively, emotionally and socially
Develop strong relationships with families and encourage participation of families and community in the care , development and education of children
Observe and assess what children know and can do, in order to plan & provide curriculum that meets their developmental & learning needs
Establish and maintain an environment that ensures children’s safety, health and nourishment
Establish, implement and evaluate programme to serve children and families professionally and benefit them.
Establish an environment that provides learning experiences to meet children’s needs, abilities and interests
Programme Planning & Development
Establish supportive and harmonious relationships with children and guide them as individuals and as part of a group
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Professional Development of Early Childhood Educators
Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Development (Royal University of Bhutan)
Three year Mixed Mode programme since 2016
2016 to 2020 – with a target of all existing Facilitators
Three Year Pre-service Programme beginning 2020
Minimum qualification requirement for ECCD Facilitators from 2022.
Bachelor of Early Childhood Care and Development
To be introduced eventually as all Facilitators acquire Diploma in ECCD
Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Development (Royal University of Bhutan)
Two Week Basic Training in ECCDMinistry of Education
Short Tailor Made Refreshers Trainings Ministry of Education