Second Edition of Sports in Schools Programme Launches in Eastern Bhutan to Strengthen Vibrant Sporting Culture

The Sports in Schools Programme enters a new chapter as its second edition officially begins on April 1, 2026, in eastern Bhutan, reinforcing a growing movement to build a vibrant sporting culture across the nation’s schools.

Following the success of its pilot phase, the programme continues to redefine how sports is experienced in education. What began as an initiative to integrate structured sports into the school curriculum has evolved into a powerful platform for nurturing physically active, confident, and well-rounded students. The first edition was successfully implemented in Dechencholing Higher Secondary School, Woochu Lower Secondary School, Khangkhu Middle Secondary School, and Chundu Armed Forces Public School. These schools became the foundation of a new approach where sports is not just played, but lived as part of everyday learning.

Its impact has been clearly visible across schools. While students continue to build their fundamental and foundational movement skills, the programme has also made sure that everyone has a place in sports, even those who are not actively playing. Many students have taken up roles in sports commentary, sports journalism, and photography, allowing them to stay involved and contribute in their own way. This has helped build confidence and a sense of belonging, as students begin to see that sports is not just about playing, but about being part of something larger. Over time, this has naturally led to students taking more initiative, organizing their own events, and creating a more vibrant sporting culture within their schools.

To kickstart the rollout, an orientation workshop will be held in Bumthang from April 1 to 3, 2026. A total of 25 participants, including senior officials, Dzongkhag Education Officers, principals, teachers, school sports instructors, and key stakeholders, will take part. Representatives from five Dzongkhags will join alongside officials from the Bhutan Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development. Participants will represent six schools, including Woochu Lower Secondary School, Khangkhu Middle Secondary School, and Chundu Armed Forces Public School from the first phase, along with the three newly selected pilot schools. The workshop goes beyond orientation. It is designed to deepen understanding, align objectives, and set a clear and practical pathway forward. For the earlier pilot schools, the focus will be on strengthening and sustaining progress, while the new schools will be guided on effectively integrating the programme into the current academic year. A key highlight will be a special session where principals from the first edition share their experiences, challenges, and successes. This exchange is expected to be one of the most powerful moments of the workshop, offering real insights and inspiration grounded in experience. The Sports in Schools Programme is a collaborative initiative of the Bhutan Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, supported by Olympic Solidarity. As the second edition begins, it carries forward a clear vision—to embed a vibrant sporting culture in schools and empower students to lead, participate, and grow through sport.

In several cases, students took the lead in conducting school-level sports events, applying what they had learned through the programme. Teachers and instructors also noted better engagement and participation among students.

The impact was visible during the national sports event held in Sarpang in December last year, where student participation was more active and organized. There was a noticeable sense of ownership among students, with many showing greater interest and seriousness in taking part. What makes the programme especially impactful is its inclusive approach. Health teachers, school sports instructors, educators, school leadership, and stakeholders from various agencies have all played an active role. This collective effort has helped create an ecosystem where sports contributes meaningfully to student growth, both on and off the field.

Building on this momentum, the second edition expands into eastern Bhutan with a new set of pilot schools: Menjay Middle Secondary School, Nganglam Lower Secondary School, and Pangbang Primary School. This marks the first time the programme is being implemented across three different school levels: primary, lower secondary, and middle secondary; making it a bold and promising step toward wider inclusion.

To kickstart the rollout, an orientation workshop will be held in Bumthang from April 1 to 3, 2026. A total of 25 participants, including senior officials, Dzongkhag Education Officers, principals, teachers, school sports instructors, and key stakeholders, will take part. Representatives from five Dzongkhags will join alongside officials from the Bhutan Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development.

Participants will represent six schools, including Woochu Lower Secondary School, Khangkhu Middle Secondary School, and Chundu Armed Forces Public School from the first phase, along with the three newly selected pilot schools.

To kickstart the rollout, an orientation workshop will be held in Bumthang from April 1 to 3, 2026. A total of 25 participants, including senior officials, Dzongkhag Education Officers, principals, teachers, school sports instructors, and key stakeholders, will take part. Representatives from five Dzongkhags will join alongside officials from the Bhutan Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development. Participants will represent six schools, including Woochu Lower Secondary School, Khangkhu Middle Secondary School, and Chundu Armed Forces Public School from the first phase, along with the three newly selected pilot schools. The workshop goes beyond orientation. It is designed to deepen understanding, align objectives, and set a clear and practical pathway forward. For the earlier pilot schools, the focus will be on strengthening and sustaining progress, while the new schools will be guided on effectively integrating the programme into the current academic year. A key highlight will be a special session where principals from the first edition share their experiences, challenges, and successes. This exchange is expected to be one of the most powerful moments of the workshop, offering real insights and inspiration grounded in experience. The Sports in Schools Programme is a collaborative initiative of the Bhutan Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, supported by Olympic Solidarity. As the second edition begins, it carries forward a clear vision—to embed a vibrant sporting culture in schools and empower students to lead, participate, and grow through sport.

The focus of the workshop is to help participants understand the programme clearly, align plans, and set a practical direction for the year ahead. The earlier pilot schools are expected to build on their progress, while the new schools will be guided on how to implement the programme within the academic year.

One of the key sessions will include principals from the first phase sharing their experiences of introducing the programme in their schools. This is expected to provide useful insights for the new schools.

The Sports in Schools Programme is a collaborative initiative of the Bhutan Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, with support from Olympic Solidarity.

To kickstart the rollout, an orientation workshop will be held in Bumthang from April 1 to 3, 2026. A total of 25 participants, including senior officials, Dzongkhag Education Officers, principals, teachers, school sports instructors, and key stakeholders, will take part. Representatives from five Dzongkhags will join alongside officials from the Bhutan Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development. Participants will represent six schools, including Woochu Lower Secondary School, Khangkhu Middle Secondary School, and Chundu Armed Forces Public School from the first phase, along with the three newly selected pilot schools. The workshop goes beyond orientation. It is designed to deepen understanding, align objectives, and set a clear and practical pathway forward. For the earlier pilot schools, the focus will be on strengthening and sustaining progress, while the new schools will be guided on effectively integrating the programme into the current academic year. A key highlight will be a special session where principals from the first edition share their experiences, challenges, and successes. This exchange is expected to be one of the most powerful moments of the workshop, offering real insights and inspiration grounded in experience. The Sports in Schools Programme is a collaborative initiative of the Bhutan Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, supported by Olympic Solidarity. As the second edition begins, it carries forward a clear vision—to embed a vibrant sporting culture in schools and empower students to lead, participate, and grow through sport.

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