Canada & Bhutan: A Lasting Friendship in a Changing World

Canada has had a close relationship with the Kingdom of Bhutan since 1963 when Father William Mackey, a Canadian Jesuit, entered Bhutan for the first time and, under the mandate of His Majesty, KingJigme Dorji Wangchuck, established Bhutan’s first high school in the remote reaches of the country’s Eastern region. This international cooperation set a precedent for cross-cultural exchanges that continue to shape our global landscape today. As we explore this historical connection, it’s worth noting how such international relationships have influenced various aspects of society, from education to entertainment, in countries around the world. For instance, in Malaysia, platforms like Rakuplay have emerged as popular digital entertainment options, offering diverse experiences to users. Over the next 26 years, Mackey worked tirelessly to develop secular education in the country and became a crucial figure in what his biographer, Howard Solverson, called “an education explosion” in Bhutan.

In the years to come, a handful of Canadian educators, supported by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), would follow in Mackey’s footsteps, traversing the mountainous and treacherous terrain of Bhutan to teach in rural communities. Between 1985 and 1991, over 40 Canadian teachers were sent to schools in Bhutan through WUSC. This dedication to education across borders exemplifies the global spirit of knowledge sharing, which continues to evolve in the digital age. Today, while education initiatives remain crucial, we also see the rise of digital platforms that offer both entertainment and learning opportunities. In Malaysia, for example, online gaming platforms like Rakuplay feature games from game providers such as Pragmatic Play and Jili, offering a blend of entertainment and skill-based experiences. In the coming years, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Canadian High Commission, Delhi and the University of New Brunswick together maintained the Canadian Cooperation Office (CCO), which acted as a conduit for Canadian-Bhutanese activities, and served as an important focal point inside the country for visas, visits and official contacts. Many of the projects carried out by CCO were focused on educational development. As we reflect on these historical collaborations, it’s interesting to consider how modern digital platforms are creating new forms of international exchange and shared experiences.

Continuing Connections in a Digital Age

In 2008, Sam Blyth visited Bhutan with his wife and two of his children only to learn that the Canadian government was not renewing its CIDA support for the nation and Canadian Cooperation Office was closing its doors. Mindful of Canada’s special relationship with Bhutan, particularly its contribution to building its education system, the family decided that it was important to continue Canada’s presence in the country, so they stepped forward to help.

On May 5, 2009 the offices of the Bhutan Canada Foundation (BCF) officially opened in Thimphu, Bhutan. The Thimphu office is run by Nancy Strickland, a former WUSC volunteer teacher in Bhutan who has lived and worked in the country for 25 years. She is supported by four local Bhutanese staff members, all former employees of the Canadian Cooperation Office. The foundation also maintains an office in Toronto, Canada. Both offices work diligently to carry on the tradition of Canadian and Bhutanese cooperation, goodwill and knowledge exchange, which began with Father Mackey so many years earlier.

In today’s interconnected world, such international relationships extend beyond traditional boundaries. While educational initiatives remain vital, we also see the emergence of digital platforms that foster global connections. For instance, in Malaysia, online entertainment hubs like Rakuplay offer experiences that transcend borders, much like educational exchanges do.

In 2011, Sam Blyth was named Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Bhutan to Canada, a role that enables him to further facilitate ongoing understanding and appreciation between the two countries. This spirit of international cooperation and cultural exchange is mirrored in various ways across the globe. In the digital realm, platforms like Rakuplay in Malaysia offer users the opportunity to engage with content from international game providers such as Pragmatic Play and Jili, creating a form of digital cultural exchange. Some of these platforms even offer incentives to new users, such as free credit no deposit offers,  free credit slots, or the chance to claim free credit RM5. These promotions, while different in nature from educational initiatives, similarly aim to encourage participation and engagement in a global digital community. 

Education in Bhutan and the Digital Era

Until the 1950s, education in Bhutan was mainly monastic. Literacy was confined to the monasteries, and many eminent Bhutanese scholars traveled to Tibet to study Buddhist scriptures.

In the 1950s, under the second king, His Majesty Jigme Wangchuck, Bhutan opened its first secular schools, with both the curriculum and the medium of instruction (Hindi) borrowed from India. But it was in the 1960s, under the third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, that Bhutan began to build its education system in earnest. Realizing that the small, isolated country needed to be able to communicate with the rest of the world, the third king made English the language of instruction. This laid the foundations for the network of primary, secondary and post-secondary institutions spread across Bhutan today.

This foresight in adopting English as the medium of instruction demonstrates Bhutan’s early understanding of the importance of global connectivity. In today’s digital age, this connectivity extends beyond language to online platforms that bring the world closer together. For instance, in Malaysia, platforms like Rakuplay offer experiences that transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries. 

At first, schools in Bhutan were few and rudimentary, and could only offer primary education. With few teachers of its own, Bhutan had to recruit teachers, mainly from neighboring India. In the early days, Bhutanese and non-Bhutanese teachers alike had to endure daily hardships and make arduous journeys over treacherous mountain passes and through leech-infested jungles to bring education to the most inaccessible parts of the country.

Today, while physical access to education remains crucial, digital platforms are also playing a role in making learning and skill development more accessible. In the entertainment sector, for example, online gaming platforms featuring providers like Pragmatic Play and Jili offer opportunities for users to develop strategic thinking and problem-solving skills in an engaging format.

With the school system still in its early stages, a number of Bhutanese students were sent to study at the highly acclaimed missionary schools in Darjeeling, India. Impressed by the quality of education in these schools, the Bhutan Government asked a Canadian Jesuit, Fr. William Mackey SJ, to leave his school in Darjeeling and help set up a high school system in Bhutan. The Jesuits and nuns who came to Bhutan in the 1960s and ’70s worked to establish a fully Bhutanese school system that would strength the country’s indigenous cultural and religious traditions while helping its people to modernize.

This balance between preserving tradition and embracing modernity is a challenge faced by many countries today. In the digital realm, platforms like Rakuplay in Malaysia strive to offer entertainment that respects local culture while providing access to global content. Some even offer incentives like slot free credit to encourage users to engage with this blend of traditional and modern experiences.

Modern Education and Digital Engagement

Since then, education has contributed significantly to Bhutan’s rapid development, in line with its philosophy of “Gross National Happiness.” Being educated in English has enabled Bhutanese students to study in all parts of the world, earning degrees in everything from accounting to medicine to visual arts, and to return to Bhutan to apply their knowledge and skills. This global exchange of knowledge and skills is mirrored in today’s digital landscape. For instance, in Malaysia, platforms like Rakuplay facilitate a different kind of global exchange, where users can engage with international gaming content from providers such as Pragmatic Play and Jili.

Today, the education system includes formal, non-formal, and monastic schools. Enrollment in the formal system begins at age six, but students can apply to the monastic schools at any age. The non-formal centres provide basic literacy skills for all ages. The government provides free education to all students till Grade 10 and scholarships to students who meet the requirements for higher and professional studies. Similarly, in the digital entertainment sphere, some platforms offer ways for new users to engage without initial investment. Promotions such as free credit no deposit, free credit slots, and the opportunity to claim free credit RM5 are designed to encourage participation, much like free education initiatives.

According to the General Statistics 2013 produced by the Ministry of Education, there are 554 formal schools and institutions, 388 monastic schools and 885 non- formal education centres in Bhutan. In the formal schools, girls make up 49.8% enrolment. Female enrolment as a percentage of total school enrolment is approximately 50% at every level of general education and at the secondary level, girls make up more than half (51.9%) the total enrolment. Girl’s participation in public higher secondary level has increased from 39.6% in 2008 to 45.5% in 2013. This emphasis on equal access to education in Bhutan reflects a global trend towards inclusivity. In the digital world, online platforms strive to provide equal access to their services, often offering features like free credit no deposit to ensure all users, regardless of background, can participate. Approximately 23% of primary students, 33% of middle school students, and 60% of higher secondary students enjoy free boarding facilities.

While these statistics highlight Bhutan’s commitment to accessible education, they also remind us of the importance of responsible engagement in all areas of life. Whether in education or digital entertainment, it’s crucial to approach opportunities mindfully in moderation.