The Bhutanese Leading the way.
As school violence incidents captured on video continue to raise concerns over student safety across Bhutan, the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) says nationwide student wellbeing surveys indicate gradual improvements in school climate.
School climate refers to students’ overall experience of their school environment, including their sense of safety, relationships with teachers and peers, and the support available to them.
However, the report highlights that bullying and family-related challenges remain.
The findings come from the ministry’s Situational Analysis Survey (SAS), a nationwide assessment designed to understand students’ wellbeing, school experiences and the challenges they face both in and outside the classroom.
The survey examines issues such as bullying, emotional health, peer relationships, family challenges and help-seeking behaviour to help schools identify areas requiring intervention and strengthen student support services.
The survey was introduced following growing concerns over student wellbeing, including incidents of bullying, mental health challenges and youth suicides.
In 2024, Thimphu Thromde, in collaboration with the ministry, first carried out the assessment in schools across the capital to better understand the underlying issues affecting students.
The initiative has since expanded nationwide, with surveys conducted across all lower, middle and higher secondary schools in both 2024 and 2025.
According to the ministry, SAS was conducted as part of its efforts to strengthen evidence-based planning for student wellbeing and school support services.
The MoESD said, “The survey collected responses from thousands of students to better understand their experiences, wellbeing, and the challenges they face at school and at home.”
The findings highlighted key aspects of student wellbeing, including the prevalence of bullying experiences, emotional health concerns, peer relationships, family-related challenges and students’ help-seeking behaviour.
“While some students reported experiencing bullying at school and difficulties at home, the overall findings reaffirmed the importance of strengthening preventive and early intervention measures,” the ministry said.
The survey findings have gained renewed significance following several incidents of school violence this year, including videos showing students assaulting one another that circulated widely on social media.
While concerns around bullying and student wellbeing remain, the ministry said the surveys also showed encouraging signs across schools. Most students reported feeling safe and supported in their learning environments.
A Thimphu school that took part in the survey found from the responses that some of its own teaching staff was engaged in what could be considered bullying.
The findings pointed to the continued need to strengthen mental health services, anti-bullying measures, career guidance and engagement with families.
The ministry said the surveys have enabled schools to better identify students who may require additional support while maintaining the confidentiality of individual responses.
The survey findings have led schools to strengthen the School Health and Wellbeing Strategy through improved counselling services, the Mentor-Mentee Programme, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), anti-bullying measures, and stronger referral systems.
Schools have also received capacity-building support to help leaders, teachers, wellbeing focal persons and counsellors identify and support students in need.
The MoESD said comparisons between the 2024 and 2025 surveys showed gradual improvements in school climate, student support systems and awareness of available wellbeing services.
“While challenges such as bullying and family-related issues remain areas of concern, the findings suggest that the interventions introduced under the School Health and Wellbeing Strategy are contributing positively to safer, more inclusive, and supportive learning environments for children across Bhutan,” the MoESD added.
The Bhutanese had earlier reported, after speaking with schools under Thimphu Thromde, that the SAS was helping schools identify concerns that may otherwise remain hidden.
School officials said the survey helped them understand students’ challenges related to family circumstances, emotional wellbeing, peer relationships, and academic stress, allowing counsellors and relevant personnel to provide early support and intervention. Recently, the Education Minister, Lyonpo Yeezang De Thapa, said that the ministry plans to revamp the Mentor-Mentee Program to further improve the school environment.
“In the coming year, all teachers will receive structured training in effective mentoring practices, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and practical tools required to serve as mentors,” the minister said.
Lyonpo also stressed again that corporal punishment is not allowed by the ministry.
The Bhutanese has sought access to the aggregate findings of the SAS since the first assessment was conducted in 2024, requesting broad results such as the percentage of students reporting experiences of bullying, challenges at home, emotional wellbeing and other key indicators.
However, education authorities maintained that the survey findings were confidential, despite the paper clarifying that it was seeking only aggregated data and not information that could identify individual students or schools.
This year, The Bhutanese again requested for data but the ministry did not provide the aggregate percentages or statistical breakdowns requested.
