TIL BDR GHALLEY | Thimphu
Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) has signed an agreement with Singapore-based EtonHouse International Education Group to establish the country’s first international school.
It is considered amove aimed at expanding educational opportunities while supporting efforts to attract foreign professionals and investment as major development projects such as the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) take shape.
MoESD formalized the partnership to establish EtonHouse International School Bhutan, which is scheduled to begin operations in August this year.
The school will initially cater to children aged three to eleven and operate from the former Kelki School campus in Thimphu. It is expected to serve both Bhutanese students and children of expatriate professionals residing in the country.
The initiative comes as Bhutan seeks to strengthen its human capital and prepare young people for an increasingly interconnected and knowledge-driven world while positioning itself as an attractive destination for international talent and investment.
MoESD Secretary Tshewang Chophel Dorji described the establishment of the school as a timely and strategic investment in the country’s future.
“The establishment of an international school in Bhutan is both timely and significant as we prepare our young people to thrive in an increasingly interconnected, knowledge-driven, and rapidly evolving global environment,” he said.
He said the project goes beyond establishing another educational institution and aims to create a high-quality learning environment that nurtures academic excellence, creativity, innovation, critical thinking and holistic child development.
“It is about providing learners in Bhutan with broader educational choices and internationally benchmarked learning opportunities within the country itself,” he said.
The school is expected to contribute not only to student learning but also to the wider education ecosystem through professional collaboration, institutional learning and exposure to international best practices.
“Such institutions contribute to building a culture of educational excellence that continues to improve, which is essential for preparing future generations to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development,” he said.
The initiative is also expected to address practical needs arising from Bhutan’s economic transformation. As international professionals, businesses and investors establish a presence in the country, demand for internationally recognised schooling options is expected to increase.
“As international experts, professionals and global enterprises establish their presence in Bhutan, there will be a growing need for high-quality international schooling options for their families,” he said.
While embracing international educational approaches, the secretary stressed that preserving Bhutanese values and identity remains a central priority.
“The aspiration is therefore to provide an education that is globally relevant while remaining deeply rooted in the values and principles that define Bhutanese society,” he said.
The ministry selected EtonHouse following an assessment of institutions capable of delivering internationally recognised education while respecting local culture, traditions and social values.
Director of School Education Tashi Namgyal said the institution was chosen because of its global reputation and alignment with Bhutan’s educational aspirations.
“The selection of EtonHouse International School reflects both its established global credibility and its strong alignment with Bhutan’s educational vision,” he said.
Founded in Singapore, EtonHouse operates more than 100 schools across eight countries and is known for its inquiry-based and child-centred approach to learning.
Tashi Namgyal said the school would serve as more than an educational institution.
“It establishes a centre of educational excellence under internationally recognised standards,” he said. “It creates a model for educational innovation, giving the Ministry of Education a reference point to inform curriculum development, pedagogical improvement and policy formation.”
He said the school would also strengthen Bhutan’s attractiveness as an investment destination by addressing one of the key concerns of foreign professionals relocating with families.
“It serves as a critical enabler of international engagement, most immediately for the Gelephu Mindfulness City, where multinational enterprises and expatriate professionals will require credible international schooling as a condition of long-term commitment,” he said.
The partnership, he added, carries long-term national significance.
“This institution will expand access to quality education, introduce time-tested international standards into the national landscape, support investor confidence and produce graduates equipped to contribute at the highest levels,” he said.
Despite following an international curriculum, Bhutanese students enrolled at the school will be required to study Dzongkha and Bhutanese history, ensuring that global learning remains grounded in national identity.
EtonHouse International Education Group Chief Executive Officer Ng Yi-Xian said investment in human capital is essential for small nations such as Bhutan and Singapore.
“Singapore and Bhutan do not have many natural resources. What we do have is human capital, and it is important to invest in this human capital,” he said.
He described the school as a bridge between Bhutan and the wider world, providing students with international exposure while helping them remain connected to their roots.
“We believe that this school will be a bridge between Bhutan and the rest of the world, allowing young people to engage globally while keeping them deeply connected to home,” he said.
According to Ng Yi-Xian, international education should reinforce rather than weaken national identity.
“International education should not make children less rooted in their country. It should strengthen Bhutanese identity and values,” he said, citing language, culture, community engagement, environmental stewardship and the philosophy of Gross National Happiness as fundamental pillars.
He also highlighted EtonHouse’s Global Classroom Programme, which connects students, teachers and families across its network of schools through collaborative projects, cultural exchanges and sister-school partnerships.
“Our students, teachers and even parents work together on projects through sister-school collaborations and cultural exchanges,” he said. “We do not believe students should have to leave home or wait until university to experience the world.”
Evelyn Tay Hui Khim, Chief Executive Officer of EtonHouse Singapore and EtonHouse Bhutan, said the school seeks to develop globally competent learners while preserving Bhutanese values and cultural identity.
“Together, we are building a school that brings together internationally recognised standards with Bhutanese culture and values,” she said.
The school community will include Bhutanese and international students, educators and staff, create a diverse learning environment while support the development of local talent.
“We have a strong commitment to nurturing and developing local talent alongside global expertise,” she said.
The institution will benefit from EtonHouse’s international partnerships and networks, including Cambridge, the Council of International Schools, the International Curriculum Association and the Reggio Children International Network.
Through these partnerships, students and educators will gain access to international best practices, professional learning opportunities and global exchanges, she said.
Addressing concerns about affordability, Tay said the school would implement a differentiated fee structure to support Bhutanese families.
“High-quality education should be accessible,” she said.
Bhutanese students will receive a 40 percent concession on tuition fees under a differentiated pricing structure designed to make international education more accessible to local families. The school will also offer two tuition scholarships annually to selected Bhutanese students.
“A dedicated scholarship programme will provide two tuition scholarships to selected Bhutanese students, ensuring that opportunity and potential remain at the heart of what we are building together,” she said.
Evelyn Tay Hui Khim added that the school’s vision extends beyond academic achievement.
“It is about developing confident and capable individuals with a strong sense of identity, equipped to operate on the global stage while remaining anchored in Bhutanese values,” she said.
Admissions for the inaugural academic year are underway. Students will be placed in grades according to their age, while admission decisions will involve interviews with parents and a review of previous academic records to ensure alignment with the school’s educational philosophy.
The school has also committed to maintaining a strong local presence, with 50 percent of its teaching workforce expected to comprise Bhutanese educators employed on a contractual basis.
Details of tuition fees and related charges will be shared directly with parents during the admission process. School representatives said specific fee schedules would be disclosed during admission briefings and consultations with prospective families.
Alongside the signing of the agreement, the first International School K–12 Experience Sharing Programme was held, bringing together parents, educators and education professionals to discuss international education standards, inquiry-based learning and innovative teaching approaches.
Experienced educators from Singapore conducted demonstration sessions and introduced participants to EtonHouse’s educational philosophy, learning environment and classroom practices.
With classes scheduled to begin in August, the school is expected to become a key component of Bhutan’s evolving education landscape, offering internationally recognised learning opportunities while supporting the country’s ambition to develop globally competent citizens rooted in Bhutanese values and culture.
