The Expansion of the College of Education (CoE), Paro/Samtse, Phase IV

The objective of this project is to contribute to the expansion of teacher education capacity in Bhutan in order to improve teachers’ quality and to reduce the supply gap of teachers at the primary and secondary levels. The immediate objectives are: a) construction of an additional infrastructure at CoE Paro and Samtse, b) enhancing capacity of O+M Unit (operation and maintenance of infrastructure) CoE Paro, c) developing the capacity of contractors in construction management (private sector development) for similar constructions in future.

Swiss assistance has contributed to the expansion of the Teacher Training College Paro (now National Institute of Education - CoE) in three phases. The first two phases were executed through a multilateral programme with the contribution of SDC in the second phase, and then SDC/Helvetas executed the third phase, which was an expansion of teacher training. During the first phase the Rimpung campus and a few staff housing units were built, and in the second phase hostels for trainees and a few warden quarters were built.

The planning for expansion of the CoE, Paro/Samtse began in July 2001 for increasing the enrolment capacity of teacher students from 450 to 980, by building additional infrastructure. The project will be executed  in partnership between SDC/Helvetas and the Ministry of Health and Education.  Of the entire cost of 9.8 million CHF, SDC has agreed to finance the project up to 7.2 million CHF, over a construction period of six years (2002-2008).  The Royal Government has agreed to contribute 0.41 million CHF for construction, landscaping, fencing & gardening in addition to organisational/legal support, provision of staff and land for expansion etc.