Despite global evidence supporting the benefits of PE in promoting socio-emotional skills, much of the research has focused on countries where PE is a mandatory part of the curriculum. In contrast, Bhutan's Health and Physical Education (HPE) program is limited, with many schools lacking a structured curriculum and dedicated PE educators. This project aims to evaluate the impact of an enhanced school-based physical education (PE) program on physical fitness, socio-emotional competencies, and well-being among upper primary school students in Bhutan.
This project is a methodological collaboration between the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois in Switzerland and the Paro College of Education and Royal Thimphu College in Bhutan.
Two public urban schools will be randomly assigned to either the "enhanced physical education program" or "standard curriculum" condition. An additional "control school", with no physical education, will be included in the study but not in the randomisation process for feasibility concern. A total of 360 young adolescents (120 per school, aged 12-14) will be enrolled. Baseline data on individual characteristics such as age, gender, and socio-economic status will be collected through self- and parent-reported questionnaires. Primary outcome measures include physical fitness assessed by PE teachers using various metrics, as well as socio-emotional competencies and well-being evaluated through standardised self- and parent-reported questionnaires. Data will be analysed using an intention-to-treat approach.
This project offers a unique opportunity to explore the international impact of PE within Bhutan's socio-cultural context.
Enrolment in participating schools: Students must be enrolled in upper primary school classes (grades 7 and 8) in one of the three participating school.
Regular school attendance: Students must attend school regularly to ensure consistent exposure to the intervention (min 80% of the courses).
Parental consent: Written informed consent from a parent or guardian.
Verbal assent from the child, indicating their willingness to participate.
Inability to participate in physical education courses: Students unable to participate in physical education classes due to medical or other significant reasons.
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois
Lead sponsor
Paro College of Education
Collaborator
Royal Thimphu College
Collaborator