The dawn of the 20th century saw Bhutan on a progressive march on all fronts. Not only did the country have a King on her golden throne which was an epitome of unity, consolidation and peace but also ushered in an era of progress and modernization. His interactions with the British India made him realize that of all other challenges that the country faced, imparting education was an equally important task. He himself had a firm footing on religious education and one of his first steps was to revive religious education. At a time where monastic education was the only type of education he ardently supported it and built many monasteries and temples in different parts of the country besides renovating numerous old ones. Further, Buddhist monks and scholars were invited to Bhutan to help enhance the standard of religious education in the country. Bhutanese monks were also sent for higher studies and training to Tibet to create a pool of scholars that would contribute to the growth of monastic education in Bhutan. Bhutanese monks were enrolled in renowned Tibetan monasteries such as Drepung and Dzogchen.

While ensuring that Monastic education was imparted, he also realized that monastic education alone was not enough to put the country on the path of economic development. Modern education was also seen as an ultimate window to the outside world and strengthening the external relations. The British Political Officers who visited Bhutan also stressed on the importance of imparting modern education to the Bhutanese in their reports. Thus, on the command of the King, all possible efforts were made by Gongzim Ugyen Dorji in introducing modern education.

In 1914, when the world was experiencing the 1st World War, Bhutan was busy drawing plans to introduce modern education. For the first time, 46 boys from Bhutan were enrolled in Dr. Graham’s Homes, a Scottish mission school in Kalimpong. Bhutan’s first school was also inaugurated in Haa in 1914 with teachers from the Church of Scotland mission. The following year another school was founded at the King’s palace in Bumthang, especially for the Crown Prince Jigme Wangchuck and some children of the people serving in the court. They were mainly taught English and Tibetan. In 1917-18, a successful visit was made by Mr. W.W. Horrel, the ‘Director of Public Instruction’ (i.e. Education) for Bengal and Dr W.S. Sutherland of the Scotch mission in Kalimpong who inspected the school at Haa. By 1919-20, there were 21 students at Bumthang and 28 students studying at Haa.

The King requested for further education and training of the Bhutanese boys in India. In 1920, four boy students from the Scottish mission school in Kalimpong reached the Indian University entrance standard and others were sent for training. The King wanted them to be trained as doctors, veterinary doctors and teachers so that they could shoulder the responsibility of developing the young Kingdom.

With the introduction of modern education, Bhutan put its foot on the path of economic development. While the country suffered from the paucity of funds to implement numerous projects, the investment made in modern education was a right one. The subsidy received from the British-Indian government also supported the monastic body and the provincial officers, leaving very little in the hands of the Central Government. Thus, Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck requested the British to assist Bhutan in providing education and training in India for the Bhutanese children. At a cost of Rs. 50,000 that was inclusive of tuition, board and fares, training was offered for three teachers, two doctors, two veterinary doctors and one each in weaving, tanning, mining, engineering and civil engineering. As a mark of appreciation on this assistance, the King wrote to Bailey, the new Political Officer of Sikkim who actually forwarded it to the Viceroy, ‘I cannot find words to thank you for what you have obtained for me.’ These words are an expression of the importance given to education as the vehicle that would take Bhutan along the path of economic progress.

Since the introduction of Modern Education in 1914 with just a handful of students, Bhutan has marched a long way. Today, as we prepare to celebrate the Centenary of Monarchy, there are over 450 schools including several tertiary institutes with about 150,000 students.