The Bhutanese Leading the way.
5,103 children with disabilities remain out of school
The National Council reviewed its resolution on the state of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) from its last session brought about by the Social and Cultural Affairs Committee (SCAC).
In recent years, Bhutan has made significant steps toward creating an inclusive society where Persons with Disabilities have access to opportunities, resources, and services. SCAC’s proposed resolutions aim to strengthen policies, systems, and public awareness, with responses from key ministries addressing healthcare, education, economic security, and structural accessibility.
To enhance protections and opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, the Office of the Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Coordination (OCASC) has taken on the role of updating the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities (NPPD) Action Plan.
Although the 2019 NPPD implementation was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, OCASC has integrated key elements into 13th Five-Year Plan, focusing on health and education.
These additions aim to drive meaningful change and meet the needs of Persons with Disabilities.
OCASC will also avoid duplication by using a national social protection assessment to align targeted programs with the policy’s objectives.
One persistent challenge in this mission has been the lack of centralized data on Persons with Disabilities, which complicates efforts to design targeted support. “The absence of comprehensive data on PWDs has been a significant barrier to designing effective support programs,” states OCASC. “While a centralized data system is essential, OCASC’s current priority is to implement direct support programs for PWDs.”
Creating an Inclusive Educational System
The proposed resolution under the State of Person with Disabilities by SCAC was the need for inclusive education assessment and to analyze the number of children with disabilities who are not enrolled in school to ensure all schools are structurally accessible and provide equal access to facilities, resources, outreach programs, and opportunities.
In response to this recommendation, the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) has stated that as of 2024, approximately 1,253 children with disabilities are enrolled in 44 inclusive schools. Despite this progress, there are still around 5,103 children with disabilities who remain out of school due to infrastructure challenges, insufficient specialized educators, and difficulties with transportation.
To address these barriers, MoESD responded, stating “Home based schooling and basic educational interventions will be facilitated for children with disabilities based on individual’s needs, in collaboration with COs and relevant agencies.”
MoESD emphasized, “Individuals with disabilities who have dropped out from the school and wish to continue their studies shall be facilitated with readmission or open learning opportunities.”
Professional development for teachers has also been prioritized, with MoESD partnering with educational institutions to integrate inclusive education principles and Bhutanese Sign Language into Bachelor of Education programs.
Addressing Medical Needs of PWDs
Health services play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for PWDs, particularly in rural areas where access to medical care is often limited.
In response to the resolution for outreach and early Intervention for PWDs, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has mentioned that they have designed “Service with Care and Compassion Initiative” (SCCI), to provide timely medical attention and essential support.
With an allocated budget of Nu 25 million, the program ensures that health workers can bring crucial services directly to PWDs in remote communities, educational institutions, and monastic settings.
In response to the recommendation to allocate a minimum of one occupational therapist, physiotherapist and speech therapist in every dzongkhag, the ministry noted that currently physiotherapists and occupational therapists are stationed at district hospitals, with plans to expand these services and add speech therapists.
MoH is also committed to enhance healthcare services for PWDs as part of the comprehensive primary healthcare delivery. “MoH is investing Nu 0.8 million in training physiotherapists and technicians on assistive technology to improve care for PWDs. Additionally, Nu 1.6 million has been reserved to improve ear and hearing care services, which will include training School Health Coordinators to promote early detection and intervention for hearing impairments.”
Additionally, MoH is also prioritizing palliative care services with a budget of Nu 2.8 million to extend these services to more districts, ensuring that health workers are trained in this essential care approach.
In December 2024, MoH will launch the Child for Care Development (C4CD) Plus program to support children with disabilities, providing play-based training for health workers to engage young children and caregivers.
To improve the referral process for children and adults with disabilities, MoH is working to ensure specialized care, including the provision of medical escorts when needed.
Moreover, there are plans to conduct research on the causes of disability in Bhutan, using data from the National Health Survey (NHS) to develop effective prevention strategies.
MoH has reported that they are retrofitting healthcare facilities to be fully accessible for PWDs, with a Nu 100 million budget allocated for these improvements.
Economic Security and Social Support
Achieving economic independence and financial security is vital for the inclusion of PWDs.
In partnership with CSOs, the government is exploring ways to equip Bhutanese youth with skills to assist PWDs, addressing the demand for specialized support while creating employment opportunities. Additionally, technological accessibility has been prioritized to ensure that all government websites and digital resources are accessible to PWDs, fostering a more connected and inclusive society.
Accessible Bhutan
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT) has committed to a nationwide accessibility assessment to address structural challenges in both urban and rural areas.
This will include improvements to pedestrian pathways, restrooms, and public buildings. For example, Thimphu has already implemented accessibility features like tactile flooring on footpaths for individuals with vision impairments.
Additionally, MoIT is revising its 2016 guidelines on differently-abled-friendly construction to incorporate updated recommendations, based on feedback from PWDs and their families.
Furthermore, the Department of Surface Transport (DoST) has identified several key priorities to enhance public transportation across the country. DoST states, “Expanding bus networks to better connect towns and villages, and implementing a hub-and-spoke model, with urban centers serving as key nodes, this model will use a variety of vehicles for long-distance travel and last-mile connectivity, ensuring a more efficient and accessible service.
“For challenging mountainous routes, they are also exploring the integration of cable car systems. DoST, states, “Additionally, we will install basic bus stops at strategic locations to improve accessibility and convenience for passengers.”
Cultural and Sporting Inclusion
The Bhutan Paralympic Committee (BPC) has been instrumental in promoting sports for PWDs, organizing outreach programs to encourage participation and break down stigmas.
The Department of Culture is also incorporating accessibility features, such as ramps and lifts, into new cultural heritage projects to ensure these spaces are accessible to all.
In recognition of PWDs’ achievements, the BPC, in collaboration with the Bhutan Olympic Committee, has introduced the Sports Excellence Awards to honor athletes excelling in Paralympic events, inspiring future generations to pursue their dreams and embrace physical activity.
Partnering with Civil Society Organizations
Civil society organizations (CSOs) play a crucial role in supporting PWDs in Bhutan. To strengthen this partnership, the government has introduced regulatory reforms that allow CSOs to invest in social enterprises, increasing their financial autonomy and reducing reliance on donor funding.
Additionally, the OCASC has worked with CSOs to draft Government-CSO Collaboration Guidelines, providing a framework for joint efforts and fostering sustainable partnerships.
This paper reached the SASC’s Chairperson, Eminent Member of NC, Kesang Chuki Dorjee, to gather feedback on the government’s responses. She said, “I am very satisfied and happy to note that the government has not only highlighted the critical areas of intervention in education and health, but has also allocated a substantial budget to support these initiatives. This shows a strong commitment to improving these sectors, ensuring that the necessary resources are in place to make a meaningful impact.”
Furthermore, she notes that there are a few other recommendations within the 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP) that the committee will follow up on, as not all recommendations have received responses yet. “We understand that the government has many priorities, but we remain optimistic. I think this is a good start,” said the SASC Chairperson said.
