Ensuring social sustainability: Can Bhutan's education system ensure inter generational transmission of values?

The process of economic modernisation involves urbanisation, industrialisation, secularisation, media participation, education, and democratisation. Other changes include the adoption of scientific technology and market economy resulting in a fundamental shift in people's values, attitudes and expectations as a response to the changing economic and social circumstances. In the case of Bhutan, the modernisation process initiated in the early 1960's had far reaching implications on the lives of the Bhutanese people in so far as it presented a distinct break from the isolated medieval past and ushered Bhutan into the modern world.

As a result of economic modernisation and the initiation of planned economic development, there has been a tremendous improvement in the living standards of the Bhutanese people. Bhutan has also established diplomatic and trade links with many countries and is a member of numerous international organisations including the United Nations. On the flip side, modernisation has also led to the introduction of modern values that threaten to undermine the traditional values of the Bhutanese people.

Bhutan's development philosophy based on the idea of enhancing Gross National Happiness requires that development must be both economically as well as socially sustainable. The priority accorded to social sustainability is apparent in the inclusion of "preservation and promotion of cultural and traditional values" as one of the objectives and strategies of development. Thus Bhutan faces a distinct challenge of adopting modern ideas to suit the economic needs of the country, as well as providing continuity in the spiritual, cultural and traditional lives of the Bhutanese people.