While recent high-profile educational reforms have dominated national headlines, a significant range of crucial educational needs—particularly those concerning younger children and core value systems—remain deeply neglected.
The recent conclusion of major public protests, including the ending of educationist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk’s fast following government assurances, brought immense relief to millions of supporters. This movement thrust the urgent need for educational reform into the spotlight. The primary driver of public outrage was the integrity of examination systems. Prompted by recent paper leaks in the medical entrance exam (NEET) and a broader pattern of systemic failures, public frustration reached a boiling point. According to an investigation by Dainik Bhaskar, as many as 116 examination paper leaks occurred between 2014 and 2026, affecting 75 million examinees across 19 states. These leaks led to the cancellation of 8 recruitment exams, held up recruitment for approximately 300,000 government jobs, and severely impacted hardworking students and their families.
While preventing paper leaks is a vital step, focusing solely on exam security misses the broader picture. A comprehensive overhaul of the entire educational system is necessary, as reflected in the 10-point structural reform proposal advocated by Sonam Wangchuk and activist Gitanjali Angmo. Essential structural reforms must include:
- Moving away from rote learning and memorization toward creative education.
- Dismantling the pervasive coaching culture.
- Providing better training, resources, and respect for teachers.
- Strengthening government schools through higher budget allocations and filling staff vacancies.
- Aligning education with society’s broader needs while building political consensus to protect reforms from election cycles.
However, even these broad structural proposals must be expanded to address two critical, underrepresented areas: early childhood education and the integration of universal human values.
Grounding the Formative Years (Ages 3–14)
Much of the current debate surrounding educational reform centers on older students aged 15 and above, leaving the formative years of 3 to 14 largely overlooked. Younger children often suffer in silence under heavy academic burdens, stress, and bullying. Education during these early years forms the base for a better world and should be guided by specific foundational goals:
- Stress-Free Knowledge Building: Cultivating curiosity and deep understanding without imposing excessive academic pressure.
- Cooperation Over Competition: Encouraging children to work together as friends to achieve common goals rather than trapping them in individualistic competitiveness.
- Holistic Well-being: Establishing a strong foundation for physical, mental, and spiritual health.
- Democratic Responsibility: Involving students in collective decision-making, responsibility, and peaceful conflict resolution within the school community.
- Universal Values: Aligning early childhood experiences with principles of justice, equality, peace, and environmental protection.
Creative and Inclusive Pedagogy
Achieving these foundational goals does not require lavish spending; rather, it demands creative utilization of resources and inclusive teaching practices. Adequate budgeting remains necessary to supply basic facilities, but schools can enrich the learning experience by directly connecting with local communities. Inviting community members—such as a natural farmer, a skilled weaver, a cobbler, or a grandparent knowledgeable in medicinal plants—to interact with students bridges classroom learning with real-world application. These visits can naturally inspire hands-on group projects, such as starting a school garden.
Similarly, complex topics like language acquisition can be rendered stress-free and engaging. Rather than treating additional languages as an academic burden, multi-lingual classrooms can leverage their natural diversity. Simple practices—such as students sharing daily greetings, singing songs, or learning basic vocabulary in their peers' native tongues—foster language appreciation and mutual respect naturally. Watching subtitled films, exploring classic literature, or acting out short cultural plays can make language learning interactive and joyful.
Furthermore, establishing healthy, non-discriminatory gender relations is an essential pillar of early education. Co-educational environments should be normalized across societies to encourage natural mutual respect from an early age.
Integrating Protective Universal Values
Ultimately, the primary purpose of an educational system must be to guide youth toward solving the pressing challenges of society. Society desperately needs a trajectory based on peace, non-violence, equality, and environmental stewardship. Education should help young people understand global and environmental threats creatively—without instilling fear or pessimism—so they are empowered to contribute to meaningful solutions.
A consensus on core universal values should be embedded into daily schooling:
- Non-harm: Refraining from knowingly causing distress or hurt to others.
- Equal Respect: Rejecting all forms of discrimination and valuing all human beings equally.
- Cooperation: Seeking partnerships based on mutual support rather than dominance.
- Integrity: Maintaining strict honesty in personal, financial, and professional relationships.
- Justice and Peace: Active commitment to fairness, non-violence, and managing daily anger constructively.
- Ecological Stewardship: Living in harmony with nature and protecting animal life.
By expanding the reform narrative beyond exam security to include both comprehensive structural shifts and a deep commitment to early, value-based education, the education system can fulfill its true purpose: nurturing thoughtful, responsible, and creative human beings equipped to build a better world.
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The author is the Honorary Convener of the Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include "Planet in Peril," "Protecting Earth for Children," "A Day in 2071," and "Navjeevan"
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