Our Work in Bhutan

In Bhutan, The Library Project provides Reading Rooms, Reading Corners, Book Donations, and Literacy Programs to rural elementary schools and community libraries. These programs support children and youth living in rural communities by expanding access to books, strengthening school-based reading opportunities, and helping students build the literacy skills they need to continue learning.

Our Reading Rooms help schools and community libraries create dedicated spaces where students can read, explore books, and develop stronger reading habits. Our Reading Corners place age-appropriate books directly into classrooms, giving students daily access to reading materials where they learn. Our Book Donations provide additional resources for rural schools and community libraries, helping expand access to books in communities where reading materials may be limited.

The Library Project also provides Capacity Building for local literacy nonprofit organizations in Bhutan. This support is free of charge and may include one-on-one mentoring, planning tools, fundraising guidance, program development support, and access to practical resources. By strengthening local organizations, we help build long-term, community-led literacy impact.

Literacy in Bhutan

Bhutan has made important progress in expanding education and improving youth literacy, but continued support is needed to strengthen reading skills and ensure that children in rural communities have access to quality learning resources. UNICEF Bhutan reports that youth literacy is 97.7 percent and the student-teacher ratio is 16:1. At the same time, UNICEF notes that foundational learning levels remain weak, with reading proficiency reported at 45 percent.

Recent national assessment efforts also point to the importance of continued literacy support. Bhutan’s National Education Assessment measures Dzongkha and English reading and writing, along with mathematics and science, to better understand student learning, school conditions, and home learning environments. These assessments show the country’s commitment to improving education quality while also highlighting the need for continued investment in reading and learning support.

For children in rural communities, access to books, reading spaces, and literacy programs remains especially important. Rural students may face challenges related to distance, limited learning materials, and fewer opportunities to access community-based reading resources outside the classroom. School libraries, classroom Reading Corners, and community libraries can help create regular opportunities for children to read, practice literacy skills, and build confidence.

Reading is the foundation for learning across all subjects. The Library Project’s work in Bhutan responds to this need by supporting rural elementary schools and community libraries with Reading Rooms, Reading Corners, Book Donations, and Literacy Programs, while also strengthening local literacy nonprofit organizations through Capacity Building. Together, these efforts help create more reading opportunities for students and support long-term, community-led literacy impact.