The assessment evaluates students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes in foundational subjects and their ability to apply them in real-world contexts

More than 9,500 students including 40 children with disabilities from grades III and VI across Bhutan appeared in the second cycle of the National Education Assessment (NEA) that is conducted to evaluate students’ learning outcomes at key stages of education.

Held from November 4 – 9, the assessment tests students’ literacy in Mathematics, Science, and reading and writing literacy in English and Dzongkha subjects. These assessments aim to evaluate students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes in foundational subjects and their ability to apply them in real-world contexts.

In addition to the sampled students from 378 primary and lower secondary schools across 20 districts and two thromdes, school principals, and three teachers from each sampled school who teach Grades III and VI as well as the Chief District Education Officer/Chief Thromde Education Officer will complete the contextual questionnaires for the NEA. This is being done as evidence demonstrates that children’s learning outcomes depend not only on classroom teaching but the context in which they are in, interactions with peers, teachers, and school leadership.

Led by the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, the Bhutan Council for School Examinations and Assessment (BCSEA) is conducting the assessment with funding support from Global Partnership for Education through UNICEF, as the Grant Agent and the Coordinating Agency. Conducted every three years in grades III, VI, and IX, the assessment provides insight on student progress and help identify areas for improvement, measure the effectiveness of the education system, and help make informed decisions to help improve the learning outcomes of children.

UNICEF Bhutan Deputy Representative Fawzia Hoodbhoy congratulated the Royal Government of Bhutan for conducting the second cycle of the assessment to track children’s learning outcomes.

“National Education Assessments are not just about numbers and scores. It is about understanding how our children are learning or not, and working on areas that will help ensure children, including the most vulnerable have access to quality education that prepares them for a successful future,” Fawzia Hoodbhoy said. “UNICEF commits to work with the Ministry and partners to support the implementation of the assessment’s recommendations.

In 2021, Bhutan conducted the first cycle of NEA for 4,685 grade three students, including 24 students with disabilities. The assessment found that most students were able to achieve the minimum proficiency levels while providing lessons into factors affecting children’s learning during the Covid-19 pandemic.

By adopting a triennial model, BCSEA can track the same cohort of students from Grade III through Grade IX, while also assessing the effectiveness of systemic interventions over time. The results from these assessments will provide critical data and insights to strengthen Bhutan’s education policies and improve the quality of education nationwide. After the assessment is completed and the data analyzed, the final report is expected to be disseminated to all stakeholders around June 2025. The next cohort of NEA will include grade IX students.