The Ministry of Education and Skills Development of Bhutan signed a memorandum of understanding with Special Olympics Bhutan (SOB) on 21 December 2025. This represents a major milestone in the commitment of the Ministry of Education and Sustainable Development to expand inclusive sports within its education system and promote inclusive education for students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in collaboration with SOB. This partnership reflects Bhutan’s growing leadership in promoting social inclusion through sports and education.
The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the first national SOB competition between Champions Unified Schools® (UCS). UCS is a program that uses sports to build inclusive school climates by uniting students with and without IDD through unified sports, leadership development, and whole-school engagement.
Sponsored by His Excellency Lyonpo Yizang Di Thapa, Minister of Education and Skills Development, the ceremony launched a three-day competition in which 271 students from 9 comprehensive schools participated. Athletics, Bocce gameand indoor football. These events will be held under the Special Olympics Unified Sports model, where students with and without intellectual disabilities compete in sports together.
The energy and enthusiasm displayed by the students echoes the sentiments shared by Dasho Dechen Wangmo, President of Special Olympics Bhutan, “This is a defining moment for Bhutan, as our values and national spirit of compassion guide us toward becoming a regional model for inclusion.” She added: “The broad support from the government, civil society and international partners reflects our shared belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to shine.”
This MoU outlined a long-term vision to expand UCS programmes, deepen staff capabilities, and promote a culture of inclusion aligned with the Inclusive Education Policy of the Ministry of Education and Sustainable Development.
Her Excellency the Minister of Education and Skills Development said: “This partnership reinforces our commitment to creating enabling school environments where every child can participate meaningfully. We are taking an important step towards deeper regional and global initiatives based on shared learning and collective responsibility.”
This initiative is supported by strong collaboration between national and international partners, including the Ministry of Education and Sustainable Development, Bhutanese Olympic Committee, Bhutanese Paralympic Committee, SELWA, UNICEF Bhutan, Indian Embassy in Bhutan, Mohamed Bin Zayed Humanitarian Foundation, Lions Clubs International Foundation, Special Olympics Bharat (India)and Special Olympics Asia Pacific.
These organizations work together to achieve the common goal of ensuring that students with intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into school and community life. This MoU represents an important step forward in Bhutan’s inclusive education journey and lays the foundation for further engagement and alignment of the Ministry of Education and Sustainable Development with the Special Olympics World Alliance for Inclusion.
The Global Alliance for Inclusion brings together governments, civil society, international organizations and the private sector to support inclusive education by using programs like Unified Champion Schools® and Unified Sports® to transform inclusive policies into practical, sustainable actions in schools and communities, helping students with and without IDD learn, play and belong together.
Ministry of Education and Development It is noteworthy that under the Education Policy, the Ministry of Education and Social Development supports sports and physical activities (SPA) as an integral part of school education, with the aim of the comprehensive development of students and enriching their educational experience. The addition of UCS programs under the Special Olympics initiative will complement and enhance this effort by providing structured and focused opportunities for children with and without intellectual disabilities to participate together. This approach not only enhances students’ ability to enjoy the spa, but also promotes active and healthy lifestyles in a fully inclusive environment, promoting social integration, teamwork and mutual respect, while ensuring that every child remains involved, active and valued.
UNICEF Representative in Bhutan He added: “This partnership embodies the spirit of teamwork. UNICEF is committed to supporting the dissemination of this Memorandum of Understanding in Bhutan’s schools as it works to achieve its ambitious goals.”
 signed a landmark MoU with Special Olympics Bhutan, outlining a long-term vision to expand Unified Champion Schools® programming.){kind=link}