Contribution of Non-Formal Education in Promoting Literacy in Bhutan

Non-Formal Education (NFE) in Bhutan was initiated by the National Women Association (NWAB) in 1990. From 1992 to l993, NFE programme was co-ordinate by the Dzongkha Development Commission (DDC). Considering the appropriateness of its place in the Education Division, the responsibility of implementing the programme became the sole responsibility of the Education Division from 1994. The NFE programme was attached with the Inspectorate of Schools till March 1996. With the ever growing need and demand to expand and strengthen the NFE programme in the Kingdom, a separate Section under the Education Division NFED was established in March 1996. In the year 2002 the adult literacy rate was estimated at 54% with women's literacy as low as 20%.The adult illiterate population above 18 years is estimated to be between 150,000 to 180,000.