Integrated Intelligent Research(IIR)
Volume: 02 Issue: 02 December 2013,Pages No.43-47
A Study of Social Progress in Educational
Institutions through GNH
Ugyen Kelzang1, Kinley Wangdi2, Nima3, Kinley Drukpa4, Rinchen Wangmo5, Pema Zangmo6,
Pem7, Kinzang Peldon 8
Gaeddu College of Business studies
Email:1kurtopugyen@yahoo.com 2 keldenwang@gmail.com 3 lobzang.nima@yahoo.com
4
rwangmo14@yahoo.com 5 pemnad@yahoo.com 6 drupkin@gmail.com 7 pinkupem@yahoo.com
8
kinzangpeldon@gmail.com
Abstract-Education is an engine for social progress. A
countrys education system shapes the destiny of its society and
the happiness level of the people through its innovative
curriculum.  Education is important for human beings both at
individual and collective levels to realize their capabilities in
dealing with social issues such as wellbeing, health,
environment, conflicts, and economy and so on in a peaceful
manner. Hence, societies would desire educational policies and
strategies geared towards happiness in a holistic and
sustainable approach. Gaeddu College of Business studies
(GCBS) being one of the educational institutes has also
implemented the GNH concept through various activities such
as culture, management, environment, etc… The objective of
this paper is to finding out whether the college activities are in
line and promotes the philosophy of GNH and what GNH
means to the students. And also to find out the level of students
satisfaction and ratings of various college activities in
understanding the concept of GNH towards social change. This
paper contains four sections. The first section of introductory
nature about the concept of GNH. The second chapter deals
about the adaptability of GNH in GCBS. The third section
contains the analysis of the sense of satisfaction of students of
GCBS. The final section gives the conclusions and
suggestions.
Key words: GNH, Academic programmer, Activities,
Development, Library, Religious, Club, Games and Sports,
Management, Leadership and Hostel.
I. SECTION ONE: INTRODUCTION
Happiness is the most common yearning of every living being.
By nature every individuals seeks happiness throughout their
life as it makes individuals to be satisfied or dissatisfied. It is
believed that if there is happiness in the society, the society
will be enshrined with peace and prosperity. Considering the
fact that happiness plays a vital role in one’s life, Royal
Government of Bhutan has initiated the promulgation of the
economic development model based on the human happiness
rather than the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. This
model is developed based on the concept widely known by the
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International Journal of Business Intelligent
ISSN: 2278-2400
term ‘Gross National Happiness’ (GNH). This concept of GNH
is the brainchild of His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme
Singye Wangchuck. GNH in common parlance means the
holistic approach towards overall development of individuals
in particular and the nation in general. The philosophy of GNH
consists of four main pillars - sustainable and equitable socio-
economic development; conservation of environment;
preservation and promotion of culture; and promotion of good
governance.GNH recognizes that happiness should not be
approached or viewed as competitive goods to be realized by
the individual rather it supports the notion that happiness
pursued and realized within the context of the greater good of
society that offers the best possibility for the sustained
happiness of the individual. In this era of globalization, the
concept of GNH is gaining the attention of the whole world,
from school kids to the politicians. The nation and the leaders
globally are continuously trying to implement this concept in
their economic developmental activities. What GNH calls for
is a holistic, comprehensive approach to development. It calls
for proactive public policy and programme intervention and
commitment of necessary resources. But these diverse efforts
and coalescence of interests can and must contribute to the
promotion of happiness as a serious state responsibility, and
that it must not be rejected conveniently as utopian or
ideological. The above mentioned activities set by various
leaders will remain sustained if the same is imparted to the
young ones, as youths of today are the future guardians of the
nation. In order to infuse the concept of GNH to the youths, it
would be more effective and efficient if the students are taught
in their schools, institutes and colleges through various GNH
related activities. As important it is, the concept of GNH has
been introduced in the education curriculum of Bhutan and it is
mandatorily implemented in all the schools, institutions and
colleges in the kingdom.Education is an engine for social
progress. A country’s education system shapes the destiny of
its society and the happiness level of the people through its
innovative curriculum.  Education is important for human
beings both at individual and collective levels to realize their
capabilities in dealing with social issues such as wellbeing,
health, environment, conflicts, and economy and so on in a
peaceful manner. Hence, societies would desire educational
Integrated Intelligent Research(IIR) International Journal of Business Intelligent
Volume: 02 Issue: 02 December 2013,Pages No.43-47
ISSN: 2278-2400
policies and strategies geared towards happiness in a holistic it has implemented the GNH concept through various activities
and sustainable approach. Gaeddu College of Business studies such as culture, management, environment, games and sports,
(GCBS) being one of the educational institutes has also academic, religion, etc… However, it has been observed that
implemented the GNH concept through various activities such some of the students seem to be dissatisfied with the activities
as culture, management, environment, etc… This study is carried out by the college and feels that it does not contribute
carried out with the objective of finding out whether the towards enhancing their happiness level. This may be because
college activities are in line and promotes the philosophy of individual understands the concept of GNH in different ways.
GNH and what GNH means to the students.
III. SECTION THREE: THE ANALYSIS OF THE
SENSE OF SATISFACTION OF GCBS
II. SECTION TWO: THE ADAPTABILITY OF STUDENTS
GNH IN GCBS A study about the sense of satisfaction among the students of
GCBS being conducted by taking a random sample of size 322.
As youths of today are the future guardians of the nation, the The 322 sample constitutes BBA 144 (students), B.Com 128
infusion of GNH concept to the youths has become important. and 1st semester 50 of which 132 are male and 187 female. The
As important it is, the concept of GNH has been introduced in study focused about the following
the education curriculum of Bhutan and it is mandatorily
 Overall academic programmer
implemented in all the schools, institutions and colleges in the
 Academic Activities
kingdom. Education is important for human beings both at
individual and collective levels to realize their capabilities in  Academic Development Activities
dealing with social issues such as wellbeing, health,  Library Facilities
environment, conflicts, and economy and so on in a peaceful  Religious Activities
manner. Hence, societies would desire educational policies and  Club Activities
strategies geared towards happiness in a holistic and  Games and Sports Activities
sustainable approach.  College Management
GCBS as an educational institution has the responsibility to  Leadership
promote and uphold the philosophy of GNH. And for the same,  Hostel

3.1. The sense of satisfaction regarding activities

Level of Academic Academic Religious Activities Club Activities Games and Sports
Satisfaction Activities Development Activities
Activities

Frequency % Frequency % Frequency % Frequency % Frequency %

Highly 10 3.1 17 5.3 8 2.5 17 5.3 19 5.9
Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied 32 9.9 32 9.9 15 4.7 65 20.2 37 11.5
Don't know 11 3.4 37 11.5 12 3.7 20 6.2 31 9.6
Satisfied 210 65.2 185 57.5 201 62.4 179 55.8 191 59.3
Fully 59 18.3 51 15.8 86 26.7 40 12.5 44 13.7
Satisfied
Total 322 100.0 322 100.0 322 100.0 321 100.0 322 100.0

The sense of satisfaction among the activities, the academic activities is topping the rank followed by Religious Activities, Games
and Sports Activities, Academic Development Activities and Club Activities.

3.2.The sense of satisfaction regarding facilities

Level of Satisfaction Library Hostel Others

Frequency % Frequency % Frequency %

Highly Dissatisfied 17 5.3 36 11.2 45 14.0
Dissatisfied 65 20.2 70 21.7 69 21.4
Don't know 20 6.2 17 5.3 18 5.6

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Integrated Intelligent Research(IIR) International Journal of Business Intelligent
Volume: 02 Issue: 02 December 2013,Pages No.43-47
ISSN: 2278-2400
Satisfied 179 55.8 167 51.9 157 48.8
Fully Satisfied 40 12.5 32 9.9 33 10.2
Total 321 100.0 322 100.0 322 100.0

The sense of satisfaction among the facilities activities Library is topping in the ranking followed by Hostel and others.

3.3. The sense of satisfaction regarding Governance

Level of Satisfaction College Management Leadership

Frequency % Frequency %
Highly Dissatisfied 42 13.0 30 9.3
Dissatisfied 66 20.5 42 13.1
Don't know 22 6.8 27 8.4
Satisfied 146 45.3 193 60.1
Fully Satisfied 46 14.3 29 9.0
Total 322 100.0 321 100.0

The sense of satisfaction among the Governance Leadership followed by college management.

3.4. The sense of overall Academic satisfaction

Overall academic programme
Level of Satisfaction
Frequency Valid Percent
Highly Dissatisfied 10 3.1
Dissatisfied 32 9.9
Don't know 11 3.4
Satisfied 210 65.2
Fully Satisfied 59 18.3
Total 322 100.0

3.5.The sense of overall satisfaction

Level of satisfaction Total percentage Overall percentage of activities Frequency
Highly Dissatisfied 83.3 8 24
Dissatisfied 166.0 15 49
Valid Don't know 77.4 7 23
Satisfied 623.3 56 182
Fully Satisfied 150.1 14 44
Total 1100.0 100 322
Overall Academic Programme
80 72.3
70
60
No. of Respondents in %

50
40
30
20 12.5
7.5
10 3.7 4.0
0
Satisfied

Satisfied
Don't know
Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied

Fully
Highly

Level of Satisfaction

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Integrated Intelligent Research(IIR)
Overall Students
Satisfaction
Highly Dissat - Dissatisfied
isfied
Don't know Satisfied
14%8%
15% Fully Satisfied
7%
56%
Source: Field
The overall satisfaction is topping all the other satisfaction. In
general, the students are satisfied with the academic
environment.
IV. SECTION FOUR: FINDINGS, CONCLUSION
AND SUGGESTIONS
4.1 Findings
The findings of the study were discussed in line with the
research objectives and the research questions stated.
Descriptive statistics like Tabulation, Graphical representation,
Z - Test, percentage, frequency were used in this study. The
findings of the study were as follows:
The study finds out that academic and co-curricular activities
do promote GNH in GCBS. As most of the respondents
responded that academic activities such modules standards,
library facilities, academic developmental activities, etc… and
the co-curricular activities such as club activities, cultural
programs, religious discourse, etc… that are existing at GCBS
promote GNH. However, the study also reveals that the games
and sport activities conducted in the college does not promote
GNH. For the students to learn effectively in their respective
institutes and to be satisfied with the same, it is important that
they be happy and content with the initiative taken by their
management. So, the study has also found that most of the
students are satisfied with the activities that are conducted in
the college and the students rated ‘average’ for the initiatives
taken by the college towards the promotion of GNH
philosophy. The study also reveals that the students of GCBS
have a common understanding of the GNH concept that is most
of the students view GNH as “A more sustainable and holistic
approach to development”. However, some of the students
view the GNH concepts as all about getting job and money at
the end of their graduation, there are some of the students that
feel that GNH is just a philosophy. It shows that in general the
students understands the concept of GNH in most appropriate
way that suits them because of the fact that this term does not
have a concrete definition.
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International Journal of Business Intelligent
Volume: 02 Issue: 02 December 2013,Pages No.43-47
ISSN: 2278-2400
V. CONCLUSIONS
GNH is one of the topics that are debated around the world
with its wide range of scope not only in the developmental
activities plan but in smaller areas such as in education. So this
study had tried to explore the happiness of the students of
GCBS and students understanding of the GNH. The study has
also tried to bring out different activities that are followed in
the college with which the happiness of the students was
mainly determined. The study concludes that the academic and
co- curricular activities do promote GNH and the students
satisfaction level regarding the activities provided at GCBS is
also high but the students are not clear about the GNH concept.
The overall observation of the study shows that the GNH is
present in all the activities that are there in GCBS.
Recommendations
a Recommendations to the College Management:
 Though 44% of the respondents know what GHN really is
but still more than 50% of them were not clear. They
misunderstood GNH concept as an individual concept so
therefore the college should take initiative to invite guest
speakers and other GNH representatives to talk about
GNH and the new changes taking place.
 It was found out that the college was engrossed in
different initiative programs to promote GNH but they
only concentrate on the Environment Protection areas.
The shows and other co- curricular activities they
conduct could base its theme on GNH likewise.
 Help Educate and teach the local community about GNH.
Since most of the local people are uneducated, unaware
and not exposed to GNH concept the college management
could conduct seminars and workshop for those people.
 Assign and encourage more research projects and
assignments based on GNH to the students
 A separate GNH class could be allocated so that students
could bring in new thoughts and share ideas to help
achieve GNH. The class could concentrate more on
culture promotion and driglam namzha (etiquette) which
could benefit the student in their future years.
b Recommendations to the Students:
 Students should also realize their responsibilities and
duties towards the protection of environment and
preservation of culture but they should not also forget
their main duty that is academic excellence.
 Students should avail opportunities and other self
enhancement programmes (ESU, cultural club, etc.) not
only for the certificates but with good motive and their
dedication to contribute to them.
 Students are more interested in the western cultures than
our unique culture and traditions. Students should
Integrated Intelligent Research(IIR) International Journal of Business Intelligent
Volume: 02 Issue: 02 December 2013,Pages No.43-47
ISSN: 2278-2400
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