The Classroom Without Walls

Life Skills Students Learn Through School Sports Events

The clouds over Haa that morning hung heavy with rain, casting a quiet shadow over the sleepy valley. But inside the walls of Chundu Armed Forces Public School, something electric was stirring. Hopes were high. Anticipation was thicker than the mountain mist. The Sports Carnival under the “Sports in School” pilot program was about to begin, and every soul—from nursery toddlers to seasoned teachers—was silently praying: Let the rain wait. Let the moment live.

Just as the program was about to begin, the skies responded—not with thunder, but with a gentle drizzle. But did the crowd budge? Not one bit.

Instead, arms wrapped around shoulders, shared blankets kept young ones warm, and soon, a sea of umbrellas bloomed in every color imaginable—turning the bleachers into a vibrant, living canvas. The atmosphere was magical.

And then came the nursery students—all 100+ of them—dancing with pure joy, swaying to the music, setting the stage for a day that would go far beyond sports.

The drizzle came, but it did little to dampen the spirits. Umbrellas bloomed across the grounds like wildflowers, sheltering laughter and chants as nursery students took the stage to perform their dance. It was a heart-melting sight—the tiniest children moving with unfiltered joy, setting the tone for a day that would go far beyond volleyball courts and final scores.

What unfolded next was not just a sports day. It was a masterclass in holistic education.

From the youngest learners to senior grade students, every child had a role to play—on the court, behind the camera, at the mic, in the kitchen, or cheering from the stands. The two volleyball courts held the spotlight for the finals, but the true success of the day lay in everything else: the synergy of skills, the blossoming of confidence, and the emergence of new dreams.

“I didn’t know I’d enjoy reporting live scores so much,” said Kinley, a Class 9 student who had been part of the media team trained just a day before. “At first I was nervous, but when I saw the audience listening and responding, I felt like I was being heard for the first time.”

The media team, guided by the BOC, took charge of storytelling for the event—conducting interviews, updating scores, clicking action shots, and crafting social media content in real time. These students learned more than camera angles and reporting formats. They learned how to ask questions, listen deeply, and frame stories with meaning.

Around the grounds, food and game stalls lined the walkways, run entirely by students. They served snacks, drinks, and quick meals. Some organized games like archery and “break-the-glass,” drawing lines of eager players. The stalls weren’t just fun—they were entrepreneurial experiments.

“We planned our menu, did pricing, made signs, and worked out how to manage payments,” said Choden, a Grade 10 student who ran a snack stall with her friends. “We made a profit and learned how to convince people to buy. ”

Parents were surprised—and delighted—by their children’s skills. They engaged wholeheartedly, buying food, cheering for teams, and watching their children take the lead.

Umbrellas, Cheers, and a New Dawn – Chundu AFPS Ushers in the Future of School Sports in Bhutan

One parent shared, “I didn’t expect my daughter to be so confident in managing a business stall. She negotiated prices and even handled a disagreement with another student very calmly. I saw a different side of her today.”

Teachers, too, found themselves stepping back to let the students shine. “This event reminded us that leadership and learning don’t always happen in the classroom,” said by one of the SSI Instructor. “Some of our quietest students became the most active today—one of our scorekeepers was so focused and responsible that even the referees complimented him.”

Leadership, collaboration, negotiation, budgeting, creativity—these weren’t just buzzwords in a textbook. They were alive and in motion at Chundu AFPS.

For many students, the carnival was a gateway to discover interests beyond sports. Some said they wanted to pursue photography. Others wanted to start a podcast. A few even discussed ideas for their own small businesses. The exposure to real roles and real responsibilities sparked something within them—a belief that they could be more, do more.

The preparation leading up to the event was just as meaningful. The Bhutan Olympic Committee team conducted a pre-event training session with selected student leaders—teaching them everything from video interviews to commentary and camera basics. “They didn’t just train us—they trusted us,” said by a Class 9 student who helped coordinate the cheer squad and dance routines. “And that trust gave us the confidence to own the day.”

As the final whistle blew and the winners were announced, it became clear that this day was not just about sports. It was about unlocking human potential. It was about discovering how school can be a place of empowerment—not just assessment.

The vision for this event was to help students realize that they are not just players or spectators—they are creators, leaders, and storytellers. That vision was fully realized at Chundu AFPS.

If this is what school looks like now, the future of Bhutan is in safe, capable, and inspired hands.

This program is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) and the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC), funded by Olympic Solidarity.