DAWA ZANGMO | Thimphu
EtonHouse Bhutan International School, the country’s first international K–12 school, began classes on August 31 with nine students enrolled from kindergarten to Class VI.
The school, located at the former Kelki School premises in Thimphu, is established through a partnership between EtonHouse and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development.
EtonHouse Singapore CEO Evelyn Tay said enrolment is expected to increase from October, with some families already registered for the next academic year.
The school plans to gradually increase student intake and introduce higher grades as its campus facilities and academic programmes develop.
Founding Principal Michael Leachy said the secondary programme would follow the Cambridge pathway, with the Cambridge curriculum planned from Year Seven. Students will eventually sit for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations at the end of Year 11 before progressing to pre-university A Levels.
The school currently has seven teachers, including three expatriate and four Bhutanese teachers.
The expatriate teachers have come from EtonHouse Singapore, and some have previous teaching experience within the EtonHouse group.
Among the Bhutanese teachers is an educator who previously taught in the United States and now teaches Dzongkha. The school also has three associate teachers who support the main homeroom teachers.
Principal Michael Leachy said the Bhutanese associate teachers bring experience from Bhutan’s education system and have undergone professional development in Singapore.
Before the school opened, Bhutanese teachers spent time at Eton House schools in Singapore, where they were introduced to the group’s pedagogy, teaching practices and curriculum approaches.
He said professional development would continue as the school expands.
For younger students, the school has introduced an inquiry-based early-years programme influenced by the Reggio Emilia philosophy. At the primary level, it plans to use the International Primary Curriculum along with Singapore Mathematics.
Executive Principal and Head of Pedagogy Atima Joshi said the school was designed around inquiry, collaboration and student learning.
A dragon-themed playground is expected to arrive in October. The school said the design draws on Bhutan’s identity as the Land of the Thunder Dragon and Singapore’s iconic dragon playground.
The establishment of the school is intended to provide another education option for Bhutanese families, particularly those who might otherwise consider sending their children overseas for international education.
It will also provide international families living in Bhutan with an international education pathway without requiring their children to leave the country.
CEO Tay said some families seeking international education had previously faced limited options in Bhutan and had considered sending their children abroad.
“EtonHouse provides another option for these families, allowing children to pursue an international education pathway while remaining close to their parents, extended families, community, culture and language,” she said.
As enrolment grows, the school plans to introduce higher grades progressively, expand its teaching team and continue professional development for Bhutanese educators.
The school also plans to develop a local employment and procurement network by engaging Bhutanese teachers, professionals, businesses and service providers.
For parents, it means the possibility of giving their children an international education without having to send them abroad. For children, it opens a new space to learn, explore and discover their potential.
The school will offer a full K–12 pathway, with enrolment introduced progressively. The first cohort comprises nine students from kindergarten to Class VI, with higher grades to be introduced in phases.
According to the school, students will follow EtonHouse’s research-led, inquiry-based approach to learning. Rather than simply receiving information, children will be encouraged to ask questions, explore ideas and make sense of the world around them. The approach places children at the centre of learning, nurturing curiosity, critical thinking, creativity and active engagement.
The MoESD signed an agreement for the establishment of Bhutan’s first International School with EtonHouse International Group in May this year with an initiative to strengthen its education system and broaden access to high-quality international education in the country.
