Page 38 - BHUTAN 2007

waist for “air conditioning” the core body. Head coverings during the
summer are pretty much non-existent but in the higher elevations we did

see both men and women in knitted “toboggan” type caps. Occasionally, we

would see both men and women working in the fields wearing an almost flat

circular bamboo hat on their heads for protection from the very intense

sunlight. Bodily adornment, such as jewelry, does not seem to be very
popular among either men or women. But older folks carry their “rosary”

beads with them. Certainly, the monks do not wear any decorations at all

and they keep their heads shaved. Even Buddhist nuns shave their heads

and they wear robes of an almost maroon color. They are not seen on the

streets very often and their temples are shadowy so it difficult to judge the
actual color of their robes. Most men do not display facial hair, no beards or

mustaches. It may be that they do not grow significant facial hair because

we saw no men who appeared to have a “five-o’clock shadow.” However, it

must be admitted that we did see a few very old men with stringy gray

beards.

EDUCATION

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Since the beginning of the 20 century, Bhutan has stressed education and
provides free schooling for all children for 11 years: 1 year of pre-primary

education, 6 years of primary education, 2 years of junior high, and 2 years

of senior high classes. All classes are taught in English—isn’t that surprising?

Passing national examinations is necessary for students to leave primary

school and for graduation from senior high studies. Tertiary education is
available in the country, but the government does not provide financial

support for students to attend college. Most families with sufficient wealth

send their sons to India for college or university education.