Formalising the Council

16 August: The recently appointed royal education council (REC) members, led by the prime minister, decided yesterday that the council will be an independent academic organisation, which will be a think tank, research and information centre for education in Bhutan.

Council members also decided on the administrative management structure of REC. One of the members, Professor Mark Mancall, was appointed as the academic director. An administrator, a finance officer and a development officer to seek funds from funding agencies would soon be appointed.

“The idea is to keep REC as a lean and an efficient organisation,” said one of the council members. “Since people working in REC are all on contract and, as the ongoing activities are being streamlined and assessed, those who’ll continue to work for REC will remain on contract.”

Council members said that they are studying the ongoing activities and projects of REC to see what needs to be taken forward and what may need to be stopped.

The REC members – chairperson Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley, vice-chairperson Lyonpo Thakur S Powdyel, and Dasho Kinley Dorji, Chuki T Wangchuk, Michael Rutland, professor Mark Mancall and Tenzin Choeda – met yesterday and also decided that REC will have two purposes: building the nation and building capacity. “We want the learning process to continue. Now it’s the age of information and then it might be the age of technology. REC’s vision for education will evolve with time,” said a member.

Council members also decided to take on about 10 broad responsibilities, according to the members, including the establishment of a legal framework for REC to see on what basis it exists. They will also make sure that each stakeholder in the education system knows what the other is doing. “Each sector will not be planning on its own and everyone must know what the other stakeholder is doing,” said a council member.

The council will also develop a national education framework, looking at models on subjects, textbooks, system and curriculum around the world, to advise the education ministry. Research on special areas of education for example, early childhood and learning process would also be conducted. The council will also provide critical analysis of policies on education.

Council members said that REC, chaired by the prime minister, is drawing inspiration from the vision of His Majesty the King. Members also decided to publish an education journal regularly to raise important education trends and issues, to keep people thinking about these issues. The council will also look around the world for sources of funding to support the education system.

“Most of us have no clue on how REC had been functioning so far and past activities will be analysed and audited,” said a council member.

source: kuensel