Early Educators’ Professional Development: Experiences from Bhutan

Karma Gayleg

Ministry of Education

Bhutan

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

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

Differences in specific developmental areas

Bhutan National ECCD Impact Study 2015

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

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

The goal is to contribute to promoting:

Quality ECCD Centre Programme

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

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

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

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