Building a Stronger Foundation for Early Childhood Education in Bhutan

Established in 2024, BECEDA is bringing Bhutan's private ECCD providers together to strengthen educator training, early learning standards, professional collaboration, and the role of early childhood development in the country's future.

The foundation of a nation is shaped not only by infrastructure, economic growth, or technological advancement. It also begins with the care, learning opportunities, and values children receive during their earliest years.

These formative experiences influence how children learn, communicate, build relationships, and participate in society as they grow. In Bhutan, efforts to strengthen this important stage of development have led to greater attention on the quality and professionalisation of Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) services.

The Bhutan Early Childhood Education and Development Association (BECEDA) is part of this effort. Established on 5 April 2024 under the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), BECEDA is a professional association representing private ECCD centres, proprietors, and facilitators across Bhutan.

The Association was established to bring private ECCD providers together under a common professional platform. Its priorities include promoting quality and consistency in early childhood services, strengthening the capacity of educators, advocating for enabling policies, and supporting a strong foundation for children's lifelong learning.

Bringing Bhutan's Private ECCD Community Together

At the centre of the initiative is Mr. Jamtsho, Founder and President of BECEDA. His work has focused on bringing private ECCD professionals together under a collective platform where providers can collaborate, exchange knowledge, improve professional standards, and contribute to developments in Bhutan's education sector.

His approach is based on the understanding that early childhood education goes beyond preparing children for formal schooling. The early years also provide opportunities to develop qualities such as responsibility, compassion, creativity, confidence, and resilience.

By creating a professional network for private ECCD providers, BECEDA seeks to give educators and centre operators a stronger collective voice while encouraging greater consistency and collaboration across the sector.

A National Platform for Quality Early Learning

BECEDA's establishment comes as Bhutan continues to strengthen human capital and improve access to quality education.

The Association supports the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) in its commitment to Sustainable Development Goal Target 4.2, which calls for all girls and boys to have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education.

BECEDA works with the MoESD, particularly the ECCD/SEN Division, as well as the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, development partners, training institutions, and private ECCD centres across Bhutan's 20 Dzongkhags.

Its areas of work include professional development and competency-based training, quality improvement, policy advocacy and educational dialogue, research and innovation, parenting education, and inclusive and values-based learning.

Through these activities, the Association is contributing to a broader understanding of ECCD as an important stage of education and child development, rather than viewing it primarily as a childcare service.

Strengthening the Skills of ECCD Educators

The quality of early childhood education depends significantly on the knowledge, skills, and commitment of the people working directly with young children. Strengthening the professional capacity of ECCD facilitators has therefore become one of BECEDA's main priorities.

Under Mr. Jamtsho's leadership, the Association has facilitated competency-based training, professional certification, and Training of Trainers programmes designed to strengthen the skills and confidence of ECCD professionals.

In collaboration with the Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority (BQPCA) under the TVET Quality Council, BECEDA has supported private ECCD proprietors and facilitators in achieving the Bhutan Qualifications Framework Level 3 Certificate for ECCD facilitators.

The Association has also collaborated with Paro College of Education, Royal University of Bhutan, and Save the Children Bhutan to facilitate Basic Dzongkha Language Certification for ECCD professionals.

The initiative strengthens educators' ability to incorporate Bhutan's national language, culture, and values into children's early learning experiences.

Contributing to Bhutan's Education System

BECEDA's work extends beyond professional training.

The Association has contributed the experiences and expertise of ECCD professionals to several national education initiatives. These include sharing field experiences during the development of the Life Skills-Based Comprehensive Sexuality Education Handbook, reviewing the Damtsi Education Handbook, designing the Crèche Training Package, and validating Diploma in ECCD course modules.

Such participation gives professionals working directly with young children an opportunity to contribute practical perspectives to the development of educational resources and programmes.

It also reflects the growing role of ECCD professionals as partners in Bhutan's wider education system.

Building Awareness of the Importance of Early Childhood Education

Since its establishment, BECEDA has worked to increase public understanding of early childhood education through advocacy programmes, media engagement, social media, and community outreach.

A key part of this work involves encouraging parents and communities to understand how children's early experiences can influence learning, emotional wellbeing, confidence, communication, and social development.

Evidence from early childhood education research internationally has linked participation in quality early childhood programmes with stronger school readiness and positive learning and developmental outcomes.

For BECEDA, strengthening ECCD therefore involves more than improving what happens inside centres. It also requires greater awareness among families and communities about the importance of children's early years.

By promoting professional practices and strengthening the capacity of ECCD providers, the Association aims to contribute to Bhutan's broader goal of developing capable, compassionate, and well-prepared citizens.

Connecting Early Childhood Development with Gelephu Mindfulness City

BECEDA also sees a role for early childhood development within Bhutan's emerging vision for Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC).

Headquartered at GCCC Khangzang in GMC, the Association aims to contribute towards establishing the city as a centre for early childhood education, professional development, research, and innovation.

This direction connects early childhood education with the wider GMC emphasis on mindfulness, sustainability, innovation, lifelong learning, and human development.

For BECEDA, investment in the early years is an important part of building resilient communities and supporting inclusive social and economic development. The Association seeks to nurture qualities such as compassion, creativity, mindfulness, and resilience from childhood, while preparing young people to adapt to a changing world.

Investing in Bhutan's Next Generation

BECEDA's work reflects a growing focus on the early years as an important part of Bhutan's long-term development.

By bringing private ECCD providers together, strengthening professional skills, contributing to educational initiatives, engaging parents and communities, and connecting early childhood education with wider national priorities, the Association is working to strengthen the environment in which Bhutanese children begin learning.

As Bhutan considers the knowledge, skills, and values its future generations will need, the quality of children's earliest experiences will remain an important part of that conversation.