Special Olympics Bhutan Donates Nu 430,000 Sports Gear to Promote Inclusive Schools
TIL BDR GHALLEY
Thimphu
In a move to strengthen inclusive education, Special Olympics Bhutan has donated sports equipment worth Nu 430,000 to five inclusive schools in Thimphu.
The donation, comprising futsal and athletics gear such as mini goalposts and balls, is part of the Unified Champion Schools initiative, which aims to empower students with and without disabilities and promote equality through sports.
The handover of the equipment was formally conducted by Dasho Dechen Wangmo, President of Special Olympics Bhutan.
It was handed over to the principals and representatives of the five schools: Changangkha MSS, Motithang HSS, Dechencholing HSS, Loselling MSS, and Sherabgatshel Primary School.
The Unified Champion Schools programme is designed to encourage social inclusion by allowing students with and without disabilities to train, compete, and build friendships as teammates.
The initiative seeks to shift perceptions, foster respect, and nurture a culture of empathy among young learners.
Speaking at the handover, Changangkha MSS, Principal Nyendo Tshering highlighted the significance of the initiative for both disabled and non-disabled students.
“This programme helps children, especially those with disabilities, to come forward and recognise their talent. It also ensures that these children are actively involved in sports activities,” he said.
He further added, “Children without disabilities learn from children with disabilities, and children with disabilities learn from children without disabilities.”
Penjor Gyeltshen, Senior Health and Physical Education teacher at Motithang HSS, spoke about the holistic benefits of inclusive sports.
“They play together and support each other. For children with disabilities, feeling included benefits mental health. It also supports physical development,” he said.
The donation marks the second major investment made by Special Olympics Bhutan this year under the Unified Champion Schools initiative.
Earlier in April, ten sports instructors from pilot schools underwent training to lead inclusive sports activities, equipping them with the skills to work with children of varying abilities.
The Special Olympics office confirmed that similar sets of equipment will soon be distributed to the remaining pilot schools located outside Thimphu, ensuring readiness and equal opportunity across all designated institutions.
Currently, ten schools across Bhutan have been selected as pilot sites for the initiative. The five schools receiving equipment in this round will serve as models for promoting unified learning environments that celebrate diversity and inclusion.
The Unified Champion Schools model, which has been adopted worldwide by Special Olympics, is based on three core components: Unified Sports, inclusive youth leadership, and whole-school engagement.
In Bhutan, the programme has been adapted to strengthen both classroom and extracurricular activities, encouraging students of all abilities to share experiences and work together.
The programme promotes not only physical activity but also social development. Through shared sports, students learn cooperation, teamwork, and respect, which are values that extend beyond the playing field into everyday life.
By integrating children with disabilities into mainstream sporting activities, schools aim to break cycles of exclusion while helping students build self-confidence and resilience.
This approach is aligned with Bhutan’s national vision of Gross National Happiness, which emphasizes inclusivity, well-being, and community harmony.
By promoting social integration through sports, schools are supporting improved educational outcomes and contributing to stronger community cohesion.
As the Unified Champion Schools initiative gains momentum, stakeholders expect it could serve as a blueprint for expanding inclusive education nationwide.
With continued investment in training and resources, the programme is anticipated to extend beyond pilot schools, reaching additional districts and benefiting a larger number of students.
For the five schools receiving equipment in Thimphu, the sports gear will be put to immediate use in extracurricular activities designed to bring together children of different abilities.
The programme’s focus on sports as a tool for empowerment allows children to participate, learn, and thrive in an environment that embraces diversity.
By promoting interaction between students of different abilities, Special Olympics Bhutan and its partner schools are working to create learning spaces where all students can develop physical skills, social awareness, and confidence.
The initiative also provides opportunities for schools to develop inclusive practices that can be replicated across the country.
Through a combination of equipment provision, teacher training, and structured activities, the Unified Champion Schools programme seeks to embed inclusive education within both formal and extracurricular settings.
With the handover of equipment in Thimphu, Special Olympics Bhutan has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusivity, equality, and opportunity through sports.
The initiative reflects a coordinated effort to support Bhutan’s broader educational and social goals, offering children a platform to develop skills, confidence, and mutual understanding.
