Ministry signs MoU with Hear Hear for Bhutan to enhance Primary English Curriculum
The Ministry and Hear Hear for Bhutan (HHfB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday to improve early literacy skills in the primary English curriculum in Bhutan.
The agreement signifies a commitment to improving the quality of teaching and learning English at the lower primary levels as well as strengthening the professional capacity of English Curriculum Developers. By partnering with HHfB, the Ministry can benefit from their expertise and resources in developing a more effective English curriculum.
Improving early literacy skills is crucial as it forms the foundation for language proficiency and academic success in later years. The collaboration will help students establish a strong English language foundation allowing them to develop their communication, reading and writing skills from an early age. It is expected to provide teachers and students with better access to high-quality English education and learning opportunities ultimately improving the early literacy skills of Bhutanese students.
The MoU was signed by the Acting Secretary, Tshewang Chophel Dorji and the Founder and Dircteor of HHfB, Emeritus Professor Helen Wildy. Also present were the Directors from the Department of Workforce Planning and Skills Development and Bhutan Qualification and Professional Certification Authority along with senior officials.
HHfB, an organization based in Perth, Australia specializes in supporting hearing-impaired students at the Wangsel Institute. They have been working closely with the Ministry to assist in modernizing the primary English curriculum by introducing structured synthetic phonics (SSP), a method that focuses on teaching students how to decode and pronounce words accurately leading to improved reading abilities.