Enhancement of Education Opportunities for Children and Youth with Special Needs
Country Needs and Priorities
Health and education are still the two most critical areas that the government of Bhutan continues to support and develop.
The 10th Five Year development plan of Bhutan has identified education for all as a must, and although they are not discriminated against in society, children with special needs have limited opportunities. Up until recently, there has not been any identification or assistance to students with learning disabilities.
Recognizing the need, a program that will address the need to enhance educational and training opportunities for children with special needs has been launched by the Bhutan Foundation, the Bhutan Youth Development Fund, and the Department of Special Education under the Ministry of Education. The program is a five-year initiative during which Schools of Model Education for all Abilities program will be introduced to several schools across the nation.
The Bhutan Foundation is also working with the Tarayana Foundation to raise funds to support children from under privileged families in remote communities to have access to proper schooling. The funds will support children from primary school through college.
Project Objectives:
- To develop methods to identify children with special needs, particularly learning disabilities so that they will receive the attention and help they need to be a step ahead when they begin schooling.
- To create greater awareness among the public about the idea of special needs education, and to create special needs children friendly classrooms in local schools.
- To provide better opportunities of education, skills and learning to children of all abilities.
Partners:
Bhutan Youth Development Fund
Ministry of Education
Tarayana Foundation
Work Plan:
Phase I –
Phase II –
What it will achieve: The Schools of Model Education for all Abilities program builds teacher capacity, with training and attachments in the US as well as bringing specialists to Bhutan for teacher training. The program also plans to pilot the program in 8 schools across Bhutan to be able to identify children with learning disabilities and to develop methods to include children with mild to severe disabilities into classrooms.
Joint scholarships through the Tarayana Foundation will provide opportunities for children in remote Bhutan to get better education and accomplish things that would otherwise be impossible.
Total Funding Raised: $300,000.00
Remaining Goal to be funded: $300,000.00
Total Funding Goal: $600,000.00
How you can help……….
$100 – trains one teacher
$150 – sends one child to primary school for a year
$450 – buys a supplemental meal for a year
$3000 – sponsors travel for one volunteer specialist to train local teachers
$3000 – supports tuition fees for one year of college