Programme Overview
The Bachelor of Education (BEd) Secondary Arts programme with two separate specialisation pathways, either in English and Geography or English and History as elective subjects, is built on the principle that Arts and Humanities Education such as learning of English, Geography, and History as disciplines of study in the school system still play a paramount role in tackling the challenges of the 21st century. This programme is crafted intelligently to prepare future secondary school teachers to be academically knowledgeable and well-informed, and professionally competent and skilled in teaching these three critical subject areas- English, Geography, and History. The programme equips students with the mastery of the most current and emerging issues centering around the subjects of study and pedagogical expertise required to excel in teaching. It fosters a deep understanding of their chosen subjects of specialisation and the ability to inspire and guide the next generation of Bhutanese learners.
The BEd programme places a strong emphasis on developing both subject-specific content knowledge and pedagogical expertise. Additionally, it focuses on cultivating an understanding of the diverse spectrum of learners that teachers encounter in their classrooms. Besides grooming a new generation of professional competent and academically knowledgeable teachers for the secondary school system in the country, this programme also aspires to nurture dedicated, well-informed, and passionate teachers who not only excel in their profession but also embody the right attitude, and are adaptable to the changing needs of Bhutanese society and the broader global landscape.
The BEd programme is an academically rigorous but highly rewarding programme that equips students for a fulfilling career in education. It is a forward-thinking and futuristic pre-service teacher education programme in Arts and Humanities subject. It equips aspiring teachers with an advanced knowledge and skills to address the challenges and issues that strangles and obstructs the quality of education in the country. A good blend of a strong foundation in educational theory coupled with a demanding mastery of subject-matter knowledge in the three critical subjects of study interwoven seamlessly with professional practices through a series of micro-teaching sessions in the College and a semester-long School Immersion and Teaching Practice (SITP) in school setting mentored by trained mentor teachers. This truly contributes towards preparation of a new breed of highly motivated secondary school teachers to inspire and educate the next generation of Bhutanese learners. Upon graduation, the graduates of this programme will be well-prepared to make a positive impact on the lives of their students and the Bhutanese community at large.
Through this programme of pre-service teacher education, the student graduate will be able to:
- teach two subjects of specialisation from classes VII-X;
- update their content knowledge of the emerging issues and trends surrounding their subjects of specialisation through lifelong learning habits and skills;
- apply content and pedagogical knowledge in variety of teaching and learning in secondary school settings;
- design and implement curricula, learning and teaching methodologies, and assessment models in accordance with school curricula;
- create a conducive classroom environment that supports optimal learning opportunities for all learners;
- integrate knowledge, skills and values related to the timeless Bhutanese cultural values and heritage into classroom contexts for transfer of learning to their daily lived experiences;
- apply action research as a tool for their continuous professional development and as a lifelong learning tool grounded on their own professional practice;
- model an uncompromising sense of professionalism and passion for teaching and learning by modelling good reading habits and sharing of most recent developments in the subjects taught;
- demonstrate knowledge of human development and learning theories to positively respond to the psychosocial needs of adolescents;
- establish ethical relationships and collaborate with colleagues and the community to achieve educational goals;
- sharpen their knowledge and skills of teaching and communication skills by fully immersing into a teaching profession during the School Immersion and Teaching Practice;
- exhibit good classroom practices, time management skills, communication skills, and recording procedures that support and enhance student learning;
- use educational technology to design, develop, and implement ICT-related multimedia teaching materials for effective teaching and authentic assessment of students’ learning;
- demonstrate the outlooks of professional beginning teachers in their teaching and their commitment to continuous self-improvement through participation in meaningful professional engagement, collaboration, reflective teaching practices, and innovations that contribute to the renewal of the teaching profession.
Curriculum Structure
The BEd Secondary Arts programme curriculum structure is modular with a total of 480 credit points, distributed across eight academic semesters. It comprises eleven professional development modules, four personal development modules, two elective modules related to the chosen subject of specialisation, and a comprehensive semester-long Teaching Practice (TP) component worth 60 credit points (equivalent to 5 modules).
The modules are thoughtfully structured and delivered in a cohesive and progressive manner to ensure that students derive maximum benefits and achieve the essential standards of teacher professionalism. The initial phase of the programme focuses on professional development modules such as Adolescent Development, Learning Process, Educational Assessment, Educational Action Research and Teaching Skills and Teaching Strategies, in addition to seven elective modules aligned with the subject of specialisation. These modules are completed before students embark on their teaching practice in the sixth semester of the third year.
Similarly, the latter part of the programme includes professional development modules like Curriculum Studies, Inclusive Education and Action Research Project, along with one personal development module – Introduction to Counseling and Career Education. These modules are offered concurrently with three elective modules corresponding to the subject of specialisation in the seventh and eighth semester of the fourth year.
Professional modules are designed to foster the growth of professional knowledge, covering topics such as understanding adolescent psychology, teaching strategies, curriculum development, assessment practices, and research skills, all aimed at equipping students with the ability to innovate in their teaching methods. On the other hand, personal development modules focus on nurturing students’ personal growth, including basic counselling skills, effective communication, and the promotion of effective teaching and positive interactions with their students.
The elective modules are tailored to each student’s chosen subject specialisation, allowing them to major in the area they intend to teach at the secondary school levels. The progressive arrangement of programme modules by semester can be found in Table 1 & 2 for reference.
Table 1. Programme structure for the B.Ed Secondary English/Geography Specialization
Year | Sem | Modules | |||||
I | I | Academic Skills | Adolescent Development | Dzongkha for Communication | Education for Development | ICT Literacy | |
II | Boddhichita Mind | English Elective 01 | English Elective 02 | Geography Elective 01 | Geography
Elective 02 |
||
II | I | Learning
Process |
English Elective 03 | English Elective 04 | Geography Elective 03 | Geography Elective 04 | |
II | Teaching Skills | English Elective 05 | English Elective 06 | Geography
Elective 05 |
Geography
Elective 06 |
||
III | I | Teaching Strategies | Educational Action Research | Educational
Assessment |
English Elective 07 | Geography Elective 07 | |
II | Teaching Practice (5 Modules) | ||||||
IV | I | Action Research Project | English Elective 08 | English Elective 09 | Geography
Elective 08 |
Geography
Elective 09 |
|
II | Guidance and Counseling | Curriculum Theory | Inclusive
Education |
English Elective 10 | Geography Elective 10 | ||
Admission Criteria for B Ed (Sec) English/Geography
Programme | Slot | Criteria for eligibility, shortlisting, and selection |
Bachelor of Education (Secondary Arts) English/Geography | (35)
(30 under Higher Education Grant and 5 Self Financing)
|
For eligibility
Class XII pass (BHSEC or equivalent) with the following specific conditions: ● A minimum of 50% each in English and Dzongkha in Class X. ● A minimum of an aggregate of 55% for English plus best 4 subjects in Class X. ● A minimum of 65% score each in English and Geography, and 50% in Dzongkha in Class XII. For shortlisting Eligible applicants will be merit-ranked based on their academic achievements in Classes X and XII in the ratio of 30% to 70% respectively. For Class X, the marks will be based on English plus the four best subjects. For Class XII, it will be based on ability rating points as follows.
Arts stream English x 5 Geography x 5 Dzongkha x 2 Any other subject x 1 Based on the ability rating, the top 50 applicants will be shortlisted for a face-to-face selection interview. The interview will test their academic proficiency (including English language and subjects’ contents), creativity, analytical skills, values, and character, attitude towards and aptitudes for becoming a teacher.
For selection The final selection of 35 candidates will be based on the following selection criteria. ● Academic performance in Class X: 15% ● Academic performance in Class XII: 35% ● Performance in the interview: 50% |
Table 1. Programme structure for the B.Ed Secondary English/History Specialization
Year | Sem | Modules | |||||
I | I | Academic Skills | Adolescent Development | Dzongkha for Communication | Education for Development | ICT Literacy | |
II | Boddhichita Mind | English Elective 01 | English Elective 02 | History Elective 01 | History
Elective 02 |
||
II | I | Learning
Process |
English Elective 03 | English Elective 04 | History Elective 03 | History Elective 04 | |
II | Teaching Skills | English Elective 05 | English Elective 06 | History
Elective 05 |
History
Elective 06 |
||
III | I | Teaching Strategies | Educational Action Research | Educational
Assessment |
English Elective 07 | History Elective 07 | |
II | Teaching Practice (5 Modules) | ||||||
IV | I | Action Research Project | English Elective 08 | English Elective 09 | History
Elective 08 |
History
Elective 09 |
|
II | Guidance and Counseling | Curriculum Theory | Inclusive
Education |
English Elective 10 | History Elective 10 | ||
Admission Criteria for B Ed (Sec) English/History
Programme | Slot | Criteria for eligibility, shortlisting, and selection |
Bachelor of Education (Secondary Arts) English/History | (35)
(30 under Higher Education Grant and 5 for Self-Financing
|
For eligibility
Class XII pass (BHSEC or equivalent) with the following specific conditions: ● A minimum of 50% each in English and Dzongkha in Class X. ● A minimum of an aggregate of 55% for English plus best 4 subjects in Class X. ● A minimum of 65% score each in English and History, and 50% in Dzongkha in Class XII. For shortlisting Eligible applicants will be merit ranked based on their academic achievements in Classes X and XII in the ratio of 30% to 70% respectively. For Class X, the marks will be based on English plus four best subjects. For Class XII, it will be based on ability rating points as follows.
Arts stream English x 5 History x 5 Dzongkha x 2 Any other subject x 1 Based on the ability rating, the top 50 applicants will be shortlisted for a face-to-face selection interview. The interview will test their academic proficiency (including English language and subjects’ contents), creativity, analytical skills, values, and character, attitude towards and aptitudes for becoming a teacher.
For selection The final selection of 35 candidates will be based on the following selection criteria. ● Academic performance in Class X: 15% ● Academic performance in Class XII: 35% ● Performance in the interview: 50% |
For more information about the programme, please contact:
Mr. Kuenzang Gyeltshen
Dean of Academic Affairs
Email: daa.sce@rub.edu.bt
Phone: +975-05-365397
(or
Ms. Sonam Wangmo
Program Leader
Email: swangmo.sce@rub.edu.bt
Mobile: +975 17831125