As the more accessible primary schools quickly filled to capacity, community schools were introduced to cater to remote villages. It firmly believes that, given its small population, the future lies in high quality education to build a qualified and productive work force. Education is also the foundation on which to strengthen child rights and participation. There is, however, a long way to go as the country tries to raise the literacy level and catch up with a fast-moving world. Children in many cases have to walk several hours a day to class, in rain or snow, or through rough forest paths infested with leeches.
Classrooms are in short supply.
Each teacher has an average of 37 students, but the class size goes up to 70 in some schools. Although the government offers special incentives to those who join the profession, it has not been able to train enough teachers. In the case of special education, the government plans to consolidate and develop the National Institute for the Disabled in eastern Bhutan. Currently providing braille literacy and life skills to blind students, education authorities hope to expand the institute to help other disabled youth and to give them the chance for a more productive life. It also funds teacher training programmes, the printing of text books, and provides other essential supplies for primary and community schools.