The Orientation and Capacity Development Program kicked off on March 3rd, 2025, at Termalinka Resort in Thimphu, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for sports in  schools. Running from March 3rd to 12th, this program is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) and the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC), funded by Olympic Solidarity.

The first two days of the program focused on the Sports in School Project, an initiative aimed at fostering a vibrant sports culture across Bhutan’s schools. The project isn’t just about getting kids active—it’s about improving their health, fitness, and well-being, which in turn supports their emotional and social development, and ultimately, their academic success. But it goes further than that. The program also opens doors for students to explore sports-related careers in fields like commentary, media, photography, marketing, and event management.

Some key takeaways from the opening sessions include:

• The Sports in School Project is a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) and the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC), aimed at fostering a dynamic sports culture within schools. The project focuses on improving children’s health, fitness, and overall well-being, including their emotional and social growth, all of which contribute significantly to their academic success. It also provides opportunities for children to engage in and excel at various sports in an inclusive and supportive environment. In addition, the program introduces students to potential careers in sports-related fields such as commentary, media, photography, marketing, and event management.
• Dzongkhag administrations and school leaders fully recognize the importance of the Sports in School Project and have committed to supporting its implementation as outlined, with the program officially launching in March 2025.
• For the first time, as outlined in the project proposal, the Sports in School Project will be implemented on a sessional basis, ensuring that each child participates in at least one session as part of an after-school program.
• Health and Physical Education (HPE) periods will be held once a week for all classes, from Primary to Class XII, with dedicated HPE teachers leading the sessions to foster physical activity and promote fitness among students at all grade levels.
• To implement sports-related careers, schools will establish clubs to educate and train students in various sports-related fields, such as commentary, media, marketing, and event management. These clubs will also play a key role in organizing sports competitions and carnivals.
• Schools will continue their existing sports programs for focused groups of students. For instance, Chundu Armed Forces Public School (AFPS) will maintain its specialized boxing and archery programs, while Woochu will continue developing their grassroots football program.
• Collaboration with local communities will be crucial, and schools are encouraged to strengthen partnerships to share sports resources and facilities.
• At the project’s outset, a joint team from the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BoC) and schools will conduct a field assessment (FT) to establish baseline benchmarks for student progress and assess the overall impact of the project.
• Where possible, schools should assign additional teachers with a passion for sports to support HPE teachers and School Sports Instructors (SSIs) in delivering the program effectively.
• Each seasonal sport will culminate in competitions, carnivals, assessments, and reports to evaluate progress and celebrate achievements.
• A central task force will be in place to provide ongoing support, ensuring the project’s successful and effective implementation.