CENTRE FOR BHUTAN STUDIES GNH Policy and Project Selection Tools By Dasho Karma Ura and Dorji Penjore The Centre for Bhutan Studies © CBS, 2008

CENTRE FOR BHUTAN STUDIES

GNH Policy and Project Selection Tools

By Dasho Karma Ura and Dorji PenjoreThe Centre for Bhutan Studies© CBS, 2008


1. Objectives

• Systematically assess impacts of any policy and project on GNH

• Select GNH enhancing policies and projects• Reject projects and policies that adversely affect

key determinants of GNH• Key GNH determinants based on a pilot and

national GNH surveys

04/19/23 The Centre for Bhutan Studies 2


2. Benefits

• Consideration of GNH dimensions

• Promote holistic development

• Acknowledge potential negative affects

• Penalizes sectors

• Scoring by heterogeneous groups



Types of tools• All ministries and sectors

(good governance)• Respective ministries

(education, health)• Sectors (youth, employment)


Nine domains

• 9 domains• 10 ministries• 27 sectors


3. Description


Will discourage walking to work and shops

Not sure if it will discourage walking to work and shops

Will not discourage walking to work and shops

Will encourage walking to work and shops

1 2 3 4

Negative effect Uncertain Neutral Positive effect

- ? 0 +

Each selection indicator has a four-point scale from 1 to 4

1. Walking to work and shops


4. Calculation

• Every indicator will score 1,2,3, or 4 points• Total points = number of indicators x 4• Neutral score = number of indicators x 3• Any policy or project assessed should score

above average score to pass• Differential score system


5. Policy Selection Tools

• All ministries and sectors will share one set of policy selection tools

• Example of policy screening:» Bhutan’s accession to WTO


1. Security

Will probably result in a net decrease in economic security within the population

Do not know the differential effects on economic security within the population

Should not have any appreciable effects on economic security within the population

Will probably result in a net increase in economic security within the population

1 2 3 4

2. Equity

Will probably favour higher income groups more than lower income groups

Do not know the differential effects on income groups

Should not have any appreciable effects on income distribution

Will probably favour lower income groups more than higher income groups

1 2 3 4

3. Productivity

Will probably decrease the number of persons who have the opportunity to participate in productive activities.

Do not know the effect on opportunity to participate in productive activities.

Should have little or no effect on opportunity to participate in productive activities

Will probably increase the number of persons who have the opportunity to participate in productive activities

1 2 3 4


4. Biodiversity

Will probably decrease the health and diversity of wildlife

Do not know the effects on wildlife

Should have little or no effect on the health and diversity of wildlife

Will probably increase the health and diversity of wildlife

1 2 3 4

5. Nature

Will probably provide a net decrease in the number of persons who can access and enjoy nature

Do not know the effects on peoples ability to access and enjoy nature

Should have little or no effect on peoples ability to access and enjoy nature

Will probably provide a net increase in the number of persons who can access and enjoy nature

1 2 3 4

6. Spiritual

Will probably decrease the opportunities that people have to spend time in spiritual pursuits.

Do not know the effect on opportunities that people have to spend time in spiritual pursuits.

Should have little or no effect on opportunities that people have to spend time in spiritual pursuits.

Should increase the opportunities that people have to spend time in spiritual pursuits.

1 2 3 4


7. Family

Will probably decrease the opportunities that people have to spend time with family and friends

Do not know the effect on opportunities that people have to spend time with family and friends

Should have little or no effect on opportunities that people have to spend time with family and friends

Will probably increase the opportunities that people have to spend time with family and friends

1 2 3 4

8. Support

Will probably decrease the amount of social support available to people in time of need.

Do not know the effect on the amount of social support available in time of needs

Should have little or no effect on amount of social support available in time of needs

Should increase the amount of social support available to people in time of need.

1 2 3 4

9. Learning

Will probably decrease the number of persons who have an opportunity to increase skills and learning

Do not know the effect on persons opportunities for increasing skills and learning.

Should have little or no effect on persons opportunities for increasing skills and learning.

Will probably create an net increase in the number of persons who have an opportunity to increase skills and learning

1 2 3 4


10. Recreation

Will probably decrease the opportunities that people have to spend time in recreational pursuits

Do not know the effect on opportunities that people have to spend time in recreational pursuits

Should have little or no effect on opportunities that people have to spend time in recreational pursuits

Should increase the opportunities that people have to spend time in recreational pursuits

1 2 3 4

11. Material

Will probably result in a net decrease in feelings of material well-being within the population

. Do not know the differential effects on feelings of material well-being within the population

Should not have any appreciable effects on feelings of material well-being within the population

Will probably result in a net increase in feelings of material well-being within the population

1 2 3 4

12. Health

Will probably increase the rate of disability or other health limitations in the population

Do not know the effect on the rate of disability or other health limitations in the population

Should have little or no effect on the rate of disability or other health limitations in the population

Should decrease the rate of disability or other health limitations in the population

1 2 3 4


13. Stress

Will probably increase the number of people feeling stressed in the population

Do not know the effect on the number of people feeling stressed in the population in the population

Should have little or no effect on the number of people feeling stressed in the population in the population

Should decrease the number of people feeling stressed in the population in the population

1 2 3 4

14. Information

Will probably decrease the amount of information that most people have about government activities

Do not know the effect on the amount of information that most people have about government activities

Should have little or no effect on the amount of information that most people have about government activities

Should increase the amount of information that people have about government activities

1 2 3 4

15. Culture

Should decrease the opportunity for people to learn about or participate in cultural practices and traditions

Do not know the effect on opportunity to learn about or participate in cultural practices and traditions

Should have little or no effect on opportunity to learn about or participate in cultural practices and traditions

Should increase opportunity to learn about or participate in cultural practices and traditions.

1 2 3 4


16. Corruption

Will probably increase the opportunity for corrupt behaviour within government

Do not know the effect on opportunity for corrupt behaviour in government

Should have little or no effect on opportunity for corrupt behaviour in government

Should decrease theopportunity for corrupt behaviour in government

1 2 3 4

17. Discrimination

Will increase probability of discrimination based on ethnicity, religion or gender

Do not know the effect on probability of discrimination based on ethnicity, religion or gender

Should have little or no effect on probability of discrimination based on ethnicity, religion or gender

Should decrease the probability of discrimination based on ethnicity, religion or gender

1 2 3 4

18. Rights

Should decrease protection for individual rights

Do not know the effect on protection for individual rights

Should have little or no effect on protection for individual rights

Should increase protection for individual rights

1 2 3 4


19. Judiciary1

Should decrease effectiveness of judicial system (courts and police)

Do not know the effect on quality of judicial system

Should have little or no effect on effectiveness of judicial system

Should increase effectiveness of judicial system

1 2 3 4

20. Judiciary2

Should decrease equitable access to judicial system (courts and police)

Do not know the effect on equitable access to judicial system

Should have little or no effect on equitable access to judicial system

Should increase equitable access to judicial system

1 2 3 4

21. Values

Reduces the importance of compassion, generosity and gratitude

Do not know the effect on the perceived importance of compassion, generosity and gratitude.

Should have little or no effect on the perceived importance of compassion, generosity and gratitude.

Reinforces the importance of compassion, generosity and gratitude

1 2 3 4


22. Participation

Will probably decrease the opportunity for equitable participation in government decisions

Do not know the effect on opportunity to participate in government decisions

Should have little or no effect on equitable participation in government decisions

Should increase the opportunity for equitable participation in government decisions

1 2 3 4

23. Pollution

Will probably increase the amount of pollution or degradation of the air, land or water

Do not know the effects on pollution or degradation of the air, land or water

Will probably not have any effect on pollution or degradation of the air, land or water n

Will probably decrease the amount of pollution or degradation of the air, land or water

1 2 3 4


1. Security 1 1

11

4

1

4

1

1

1

4

2

Score

7. Family

8. Support

9. Learning

10. Recreation

11. Material

12. Health

2. Equity

4. Biodiversity

5. Nature

6. Spiritual

3. Productivity


13. Stress 1 4

34

1

2

1

2

4

4

1

19. Judiciary1

20. Judiciary2

21. Values

22. Participation

23. Pollution

14. Information

16. Corruption

17. Discrimination

18. Rights

15. Culture

= 49/92; neutral score = 69 = 3 x 23Final score

WTO policy needs to be reviewed; far below neutral score of 69


6. Project Selection Tools

Three types of tools:• All ministries and sectors (eg. good governance)• Respective ministries (eg. education, health)• Sectors (eg. youth, employment)

Example of project selection: » Secondary Education Services


1. National employment

Will decrease the applicability of skills and knowledge to national employment needs

Do not know the effects on the applicability of skills and knowledge to national employment needs

Will not have any appreciable effects on the applicability of skills and knowledge to national employment needs

Will increase the applicability of skills and knowledge to national employment needs

1 2 3 4

2. Rural employment

Will reduce the applicability of skills and knowledge to rural employment

Do not know the effects on the applicability of skills and knowledge to rural employment

Will not have any appreciable effects on the applicability of skills and knowledge to rural employment

Will reinforce the applicability of skills and knowledge to rural employment

1 2 3 4

3. Family relations

Will weaken extended family relations

Do not know the effects on extended family relations

Will not have any appreciable effects on extended family relations

Will strengthen extended family relations

1 2 3 4


4. Financial burden

Will decrease the economic security of the student’s family

Do not know the effects on the economic security of the student’s family

Will not have any appreciable effects on the economic security of the student’s family

Will increase the economic security of the student’s family

1 2 3 4

5. Community integrity

Will weaken the integrity of communities

Do not know the effects on the integrity of communities

Will not have any appreciable effects on the integrity of communities

Will strengthen the integrity of communities

1 2 3 4

6. Education quality

Will diminish the overall quality of education

Do not know the effects on the overall quality of education

Will not have any appreciable effects on the overall quality of education

Will improve the overall quality of education

1 2 3 4


7. Teaching quality

Will diminish the quality of teaching

Do not know the effects on the quality of teaching

Will not have any appreciable effects on the quality of teaching

Will improve the quality of teaching

1 2 3 4

8. Curriculum quality

Will diminish the quality of the curriculum

Do not know the effects on the quality of the curriculum

Will not have any appreciable effects on the quality of the curriculum

Will improve the quality of the curriculum

1 2 3 4

9. Formal enrolment

Will decrease the percentage of youth enrolled in the education system

Do not know the effects on the percentage of youth enrolled in the education system

Should not have any appreciable effects on the percentage of youth enrolled in the education system

Will increase the percentage of youth enrolled in the education system

1 2 3 4


10. Non-formal enrolment

Will decrease the number of citizens enrolled in non-formal education

Do not know the effects on the number of citizens enrolled in non-formal education

Will not have any appreciable effects on the number of citizens enrolled in non-formal education

Will increase the number of citizens enrolled in non-formal education

1 2 3 4

11. Informal learning

Will decrease opportunities for citizens to participate in informal learning activities

Do not know the effects on opportunities for citizens to participate in informal learning activities

Will not have any appreciable effects on opportunities for citizens to participate in informal learning activities

Will increase opportunities for citizens to participate in informal learning activities

1 2 3 4

12. Income equality

Will favour educational opportunity for high income groups over low income groups

Do not know the effects on educational opportunity for income groups

Will not have any appreciable effects on educational opportunity for income groups

Will favour educational opportunity for low income groups over high income groups

1 2 3 4


13. Gender equality

Will reduce balanced gender representation in education

Do not know the effects on balanced gender representation in education

Will not have any appreciable effects on balanced gender representation in education

Will improve balanced gender representation in education

1 2 3 4

14. Parental involvement

Will decrease the amount of parental participation in the student’s schooling

Do not know the effects on the amount of parental participation in the student’s schooling

Will not have any appreciable effects on the amount of parental participation in the student’s schooling

Will increase the amount of parental participation in the student’s schooling

1 2 3 4

15. Motivation

Will decrease the motivation of students to learn

Do not know the effects on the motivation of students to learn

Will not have any appreciable effects on the motivation of students to learn

Will increase the motivation of students to learn

1 2 3 4


16. Student performance

Will decrease overall student performance

Do not know the effects on overall student performance

Will not have any appreciable effects on overall student performance

Will increase overall student performance

1 2 3 4

17. Science

Will decrease student performance in scientific subjects

Do not know the effects on student performance in scientific subjects

Will not have any appreciable effects on student performance in scientific subjects

Will increase student performance in scientific subjects

1 2 3 4

18. Mathematics

Will decrease student performance in mathematics

Do not know the effects on student performance in mathematics

Will not have any appreciable effects on mathematics

Will increase student performance in mathematics

1 2 3 4


19. Learning method

Will favour rote memorization over the competence to apply skills

Do not know the effects on the competence to apply skills over rote memorization

Will not have any appreciable effects on the competence to apply skills over rote memorization

Will favour the competence to apply skills over rote memorization

1 2 3 4

20. Bhutanese curriculum

Will favour imported curriculum content over Bhutanese sources

Do not know the effects on the source of curriculum content

Will not have any appreciable effects on the source of curriculum content

Will favour Bhutanese curriculum content over imported sources

1 2 3 4

21. Relevance

Will decrease the relevance of curriculum to the life of the average student

Do not know the effects on the relevance of curriculum to the life of the average student

Will not have any appreciable effects on the relevance of curriculum to the life of the average student

Will increase the relevance of curriculum to the life of the average student

1 2 3 4


22. Local teaching material

Will decrease the use of local social and physical environments as educational materials

Do not know the effects on the use of local social and physical environments as educational materials

Will not have any appreciable effects on the use of local social and physical environments as educational materials

Will increase the use of local social and physical environments as educational materials

1 2 3 4

23. Local knowledge

Will reduce the integration of local knowledge and practices into curriculum content

Do not know the effects on the integration of local knowledge and practices into curriculum content

Will not have any appreciable effects on the integration of local knowledge and practices into curriculum content

Will promote the integration of local knowledge and practices into curriculum content

1 2 3 4

24. Self-reflection

Will decrease the number of self-reflective exercises in the curriculum

Do not know the effects on the number of self-reflective exercises in the curriculum

Will not have any appreciable effects on the number of self-reflective exercises in the curriculum

Will increase the number of self-reflective exercises in the curriculum

1 2 3 4


25. GNH

Will decrease the curriculum content on GNH

Do not know the effects on the curriculum content on GNH

Will not have any appreciable effects on the curriculum content on GNH

Will increase the curriculum content on GNH

1 2 3 4

26. Meditation

Will decrease the integration of meditation practices in education

Do not know the effects on the integration of meditation practices in education

Will not have any appreciable effects on the integration of meditation practices in education

Will increase the integration of meditation practices in education

1 2 3 4

27. Happiness value

Will increase the value of income over happiness in the curriculum

Do not know the effects on the value of income or happiness in the curriculum

Will not have any appreciable effects on the value of income or happiness in the curriculum

Will increase the value of happiness over income in the curriculum

1 2 3 4


28. Collective life

Will increase the value of individualism over collective life in the curriculum

Do not know the effects on individualism or collective life

Will not have any appreciable effects on individualism or collective life

Will increase the value of collective life over individualism over income in the curriculum

1 2 3 4

29. Compassion

Will reduce the promotion of compassion in the curriculum

Do not know the effects on the promotion of compassion in the curriculum

Will not have any appreciable effects on the promotion of compassion in the curriculum

Will increase the promotion of compassion in the curriculum

1 2 3 4

30. Tolerance

Will reduce the promotion of tolerance in the curriculum

Do not know the effects on the promotion of tolerance in curriculum

Will not have any appreciable effects on the promotion of tolerance in curriculum

Will increase the promotion of tolerance in curriculum

1 2 3 4


31. Generosity

Will reduce the promotion of generosity in the curriculum

Do not know the effects on the promotion of generosity in curriculum

Will not have any appreciable effects on the promotion of generosity in curriculum

Will increase the promotion of generosity in curriculum

1 2 3 4

32. Responsibility

Will reduce the promotion of responsibility in the curriculum

Do not know the effects on the promotion of responsibility in curriculum

Will not have any appreciable effects on the promotion of responsibility in curriculum

Will increase the promotion of responsibility in curriculum

1 2 3 4

33. Cooperation

Will reduce the promotion of cooperation in the curriculum

Do not know the effects on the promotion of cooperation in curriculum

Will not have any appreciable effects on the promotion of cooperation in curriculum

Will increase the promotion of cooperation in curriculum

1 2 3 4


34. Tolerance

Will reduce the presence of teachings on tolerance in curriculum

Do not know the effects on the presence of teachings on tolerance in curriculum

Will not have any appreciable effects on the presence of teachings on tolerance in curriculum

Will increase the presence of teachings on tolerance in curriculum

1 2 3 4

35. Dzongkha literacy

Will result in decreased percentages of adult literacy in Dzongkha

Do not know the effects on percentages of adult literacy in Dzongkha

Will not have any appreciable effects on percentages of adult literacy in Dzongkha

Will result in increased percentages of adult literacy in Dzongkha

1 2 3 4

36. English literacy

Will result in decreased percentages of adult literacy in English

Do not know the effects on percentages of adult literacy in English

Will not have any appreciable effects on percentages of adult literacy in English

Will result in increased percentages of adult literacy in English

1 2 3 4


37. Folktales

Will result in a decline in the knowledge of folktales

Do not know the effects on the knowledge of folktales

Will not have any appreciable effects on the knowledge of folktales

Will result improved knowledge of folktales

1 2 3 4

38. Festivals

Will result in a decline in knowledge of local tshechu and other festivals

Do not know the effects on knowledge of local tshechu and other festivals

Will not have any appreciable effects on knowledge of local tshechu and other festivals

Will result in improved knowledge of local tshechu and other festivals

1 2 3 4

39. Lozey

Will result in a decline in knowledge of traditional lozey

Do not know the effects on knowledge of traditional lozey

Will not have any appreciable effects on knowledge of traditional lozey

Will result in improved knowledge of traditional lozey

1 2 3 4


40. Ecological Literacy

Will decrease the knowledge of local flora and fauna and their uses

Do not know the effects on the knowledge of local flora and fauna and their uses

Will not have any appreciable effects on the knowledge of local flora and fauna and their uses

Will increase the knowledge of local flora and fauna and their uses

1 2 3 4

41. Nutritional literacy

Will decrease knowledge of a nutritionally balanced diet

Do not know the effects on knowledge of a nutritionally balanced diet

Will not have any appreciable effects on knowledge of a nutritionally balanced diet

Will increase knowledge of a nutritionally balanced diet

1 2 3 4

42. Reproductive health

Will decrease knowledge of STD prevention and family planning

Do not know the effects on knowledge of STD prevention and family planning

Will not have any appreciable effects on knowledge of STD prevention and family planning

Will increase knowledge of STD prevention and family planning

1 2 3 4


43. House construction

Will reduce knowledge of traditional practices of house construction

Do not know the effects on knowledge of traditional practices of house construction

Will not have any appreciable effects on knowledge of traditional practices of house construction

Will increase knowledge of traditional practices of house construction

1 2 3 4

44. Weaving

Will reduce knowledge of traditional weaving practices

Do not know the effects on knowledge of traditional weaving practices

Will not have any appreciable effects on knowledge of traditional weaving practices

Will enhance knowledge of traditional weaving practices

1 2 3 4

45. Bamboo works

Will reduce knowledge of traditional bamboo works

Do not know the effects on knowledge of traditional bamboo works

Will not have any appreciable effects on knowledge of traditional bamboo works

Will enhance knowledge of traditional bamboo works

1 2 3 4


46. Agricultural literacy

Will reduce knowledge of applicable agricultural skills

Do not know the effects on knowledge of applicable agricultural skills

Will not have any appreciable effects on knowledge of applicable agricultural skills

Will enhance knowledge of applicable agricultural skills

1 2 3 4

47. Media literacy

Will reduce the ability to analyze and filter media content

Do not know the effects on the ability to analyze and filter media content

Will not have any appreciable effects on the ability to analyze and filter media content

Will improve the ability to analyze and filter media content

1 2 3 4

48. IT literacy

Will reduce IT use and abilities

Do not know the effects on IT use and abilities

Will not have any appreciable effects on IT use and abilities

Will improve IT use and abilities

1 2 3 4


Score

• Total of 48 indicators• Total points = 172• Neutral score = 144 (48x3)• The project scored 123 points only• The project fails; below the neutral score

Documents

CENTRE FOR BHUTAN STUDIES GNH Policy and Project Selection Tools By Dasho Karma Ura and Dorji Penjore The Centre for Bhutan Studies © CBS, 2008