Gyal-Khab : A Book Review

Book Title: Gyal-Khab

Author: Thakur S Powdyel

Year of Publication: 2019

Page: 67

The Gyal-Khab is an extremely powerful reflection of a state, citizen and citizenship education. Also a book is full of hope and tenderness especially for our young kids who will become our future leaders. Any country becomes strong only by citizens' virtues. Therefore, it is must for every citizen of the country to realize the moral responsibilities in securing the nation for all times. 

The book talks about the core mandate of every citizen, social responsibilities, constitutional duties and at the same time it also reminds us of the responsibilities of citizens ensuring our national sovereignty and security. It talks about each individual as the custodians of sovereign and peaceful state. In the upholding of the nation, each citizen must act like the leader and take the sacred responsibility with utmost dedication and service to people, country and the King. 

The most beautiful part of the book is the "state and citizen". As an educator, I stress this topic along with the classroom lesson all the time and everywhere to my students, since they are the future of the country. Like the author, I also share the similar ideology on "citizenship education", which was illustrated quite well and in great length for us to understand and be the rightful citizen. Therefore, knowing the vision and the rationale of citizenship education by every citizen has become very important and necessary. 

The book also talks about elections.  Mandates. Democracy. Political party. Good governance. Election franchises. Individual rights and many more. More importantly, the foundation and the pillars of democracy are its citizens. However, we must know that an election is also a collective decision made by the grassroots people in electing a right government.

I strongly recommend this book to all the Bhutanese people –far and wide –big and small –rich and poor, and above all to every citizen across the Globe to read and know your worth for a good democracy, that comes only at the cost of rightful "Citizenship Education". 

Academic Writing -I

Sub: Joining Report

I, Mr. xxx, a teacher bearing Employee ID #2xxxxx1584, have joined the school on xxx after I have been relieved from xxx. 

As I have not availed my preparatory leave, I would like to credit it for my future use.  

 

Thank you

Yours Sincerely

xxx

A Rare Goodness In Youth

 Sir, 

Please, know that I have gathered all my courage to talk about this to you long before this week. 

I would like to ask you for a small permission. I want to change my seat. I want to sit with one of my classmate friend, Mr. xxx.

 

Sir, nowadays most of the teachers are conducting class tests, so I want to help him with his studies.

 

I can see that he is trying his best in studies. So, I want to teach and give him the best of me and change him into a whole different person. I want to start my journey to success through this small step in helping my friend achieve his dream and know his full potential. I saw him suffering in some of the subjects although he is trying so hard. 

 

I would be grateful if your good self could understand this situation. 

 

If you agree I would like to request, not to share to anyone that I asked for this favor. Please, keep it confident between the two of us. 

Yours Student

Ms. yyy

My Response

Dear yyy,

I am amazed by your kindness and confidence to help your classmate friend. It was so sweet of you. Your kind gesture is truly amazing, a responsibility that every single Bhutanese must bear with much zest and pride to uphold our nation to be stronger than ever. Keep up with the same spirit in helping friends and community around. Together we can build a great nation. Also know that "a nation is great not by its size alone. It is the will, the cohesion, the stamina, the discipline of its people and the quality of their leaders".

We can always discuss the matter. I will get back to you soon. Above all, your confidence and the role you want to lead is well appreciated and marked. Nevertheless, you are truly a great human!

Yours Teacher

Mr. zzz

Uncommon Test

The pandemic has impacted the world like no other times. Like business, daily social activities and political affairs, the education sector was equally affected. Millions of children are out of school globally. How long will this virus unrest continue is still very uncertain although hundreds of vaccines are on trial?

However, for Bhutan things have been quite well and still under control under a visionary leadership of our Kings and the Medical Doctor led government. Our "smallness" in population has become our strength in combating this deadly virus. 

After several ups and downs and dilemma school for high graders and colleges have resumed for contact teaching. As of today, everything is under control. Everybody within and beyond the campus is doing fine. However, conducting class tests have become quite challenging since the toner cartridge and papers have really become scarce with borders closed for months. 

To keep the flame of learning high and making sure that the quality of education is not compromised, every school and teachers are carrying out numerous tests and other forms of daily assessments holistically. 

Besides questions on the chart, board, flashing in PowerPoint and in groups, I have adopted a new method of conducting a test with the Classes of Science (twelve grader). We decided to take an online test. How? The puzzle is simple and easy. We have created a messenger group for each section. We agreed to bring 12 cell phones for section A and 13 cell phones for section B. We have agreed to share phones during the test. I even told them that I would share my phone and laptop with the tethering facility on my expense if need occurs. To make things easy, I share with them the modality of the test and cell phones. We agreed and promised a deal happily.  

On the test day, they came with their phones and handed them over to me in the early morning. I kept their phones safe. Trust is what we have built during the course of chemistry lessons. It was the fourth period, my turn after a heavy physics lesson by a teacher in black gho. I took all their phones and we prepared ourselves for the test. The test file that I have in my phone was sent to the respective group. Once they opened the test file, I requested them to put off the net and phones to be in the silent mode. I am always proud of science students. They are obedient and loyal. Teachers don't need to guide for every part. They have a strong sense of learning zeal and extraordinary focus for what is ahead of their future. I will be missing their simplicity and honesty, hard work and patience for learning. 

After forty-five minute, I asked them to stop writing. They obeyed well on my instruction. Everything went so well. We are happy more than anybody. We were satisfied with our uncommon way of conducting a test. It was easy and less time consuming. The online test seems very successful. This is the power of technology. Everything happens in the click of a button. We were genius. We did it! 

We have happily wrapped everything before time. Despite endless challenges, we must encourage our kids and students to be a responsible media user or consumers of the Internet facilities and smart phones. Making them a responsible tech user is our responsibility because they live a life alongside or all through technology. It will be their food, shelter, cloth and in fact, everything. Let's hope for a better tomorrow and better future of our kids. 

"Green Chemistry" More Than a Classroom Lesson –III

We must know that our kids are digital natives. They learn more through the blended approaches over old methods of teaching. All they need is the right kind of empowerment and tools. Teaching them about the effective use of cell phones has become a very important part of education. Should we want our kids to excel, become responsible citizens and do well in life, we must put them the right kinds of tools and information from early childhood. 

 

We build too many restrictions; live with the old beliefs, never ending protocols. Life would become "HELL" for every passing second. We can't control the pursuit of the Internet Thing when it is easily available. It became the double-edged sword. And school and parents must play a crucial role in empowering kids of all kinds. Our kids need unfailing love and care and empowerment to overcome these hurdles of everyday life.

 

Have you ever headed to your office without phones in your pocket? And we are blindly damming the ideas of using cell phones at school, that too for learning and under supervision and under need circumstances. 

 

We need to have eyes that see the best in people around, a heart that forgives the worst and a mind that forgives the bad. 

 

We must always teach the necessary skills before expecting a child to succeed or trying to discipline them with Hitler's principles. Remember it will never work with our kids today. Time has changed, thus, far. Rather than restrictions, we must encourage them to use the Internet Thing and cell phones and other rapidly changing things around more responsibly. Together we can live better and longer. Together we can coexist as a better human race over divinity or else we will continue to live poor as a nation.

 

If we are concerned about our kids, we must first learn to empower them with the right manners. Do-over plan. Lasting plan. Impactful plan. Simple plan. Supportive plan. There is no time for complication and puzzle when everything is already at the fingertips or at the click of a button. This is the part of life and we must plan for it consciously. Complicated and strict rules have no room in the world of technology. No theories or discoveries have ever happened without planning and supporting each other or failing. No man is an Island!

 

We learn through mistakes. We must find an enduring solution to empower kids when they struggle. Collective responsibilities go a long way in building a stronger and a secure nation. Everyone must take a positive role in making the future of our children. Time has changed and it will keep changing, all we can do is adopt, adapt and adjust. We must learn to tailor on the path we will be going to live for the rest of our lives. 

 

The problem comes when we overrule our children or put them under strict rules of life. It will make their life more burdensome and stressful. Maybe such protocols will give a temporary comfort, it will make us feel better and at ease, but our children will miss out on learning opportunities and many more life experiences that may live for the rest of their life. 

 

When was the last time your pocket went empty with a phone? When was the last time you thought, your child would be living a life by the side of the Internet and cell phones and other luxury gadgets? You control today, make them discipline with life and next day they will lead a life with all these luxury things. 

 

Should we want our children to be empowered lawfully and holistically, we must relook at the existing school policy governing cell phone usage in school. 

 

However, keeping things inline for learning or the charm of learning going or keep the flame of learning or learning more integrated and dynamic, we must erase the ill thought regarding the Internet Thing and cell phones.

Declaimer: The opinion shared is the Author's feelings.

"Green Chemistry" More Than a Classroom Lesson –II

Cell Phones at School!!! 💣👊💤💔👀👋👎👏

It raises the eyebrow of everyone, even the baggers! 

 

Nevertheless, I want to try something different this "Covid Year". I have shared my plan to teach "Green Chemistry" to two sections of grade nine using cell phones and Internet things. Initially, it created a bit of commotion and hiccups amongst the students –"mobile phone in the classroom!!!"👅, forget about others. Things became clear and okay after I convinced them thoroughly about my plan for the new chapter. We settled well and agreed upon a way forward plan of action. I could hear and feel happy moods already filling up around the corners. I could clearly see much excitement and energy already in their mood. 

 

Then comes the actual day in the next 24 hours. Everyone I informed had come with the cell phones and handed over their phones to me so politely in the early morning. I could see them with completely different moods, overjoyed and excited to ride over the topics. They were ready to explore by themselves. It was the second period, my turn to take them with chemistry lessons after a heavy math class. I went with all their phones. Their eyes were high and bright. And they seem more happy and content.

 

Before I proceeded with my plan for the day, I shared with them the two sides (advantages and disadvantages) of the cell phones. Most of them were already aware of its impact. But, we can't forgo technology things and Internet things in this era. Mobile phones and Internet things have become a very important part of daily lives. All we need is, we need to use them more responsibly and safely. 

 

With caution, I have handed over their cell phones for the class activities. We explored the assigned activities together. We watched video clips in pairs on the assigned topics. They have thoroughly enjoyed the video lessons in their partners. They have answered all the questions assigned to them. Like never before, I could see everyone extraordinarily active, attentive, lively and engaged throughout the period. Like no other period, I saw even the daydreamer and idle students taking up the class activity very sincerely with different charm and everyone has cooperated so well till the very last minutes. Altogether, I have become a very different chemistry teacher at least for the period. Furthermore, we have also chanced up to share some values, sharing, fun time, bonding, living with the Internet thing, screen, civic sense, lifelong learning, patience, Internet glitches and many more underlying issues. 

 

Altogether, we have never felt chemistry would be this charming, fun and easy to learn. 

 

At the end of the period, without any direction, they switched off their phones and handed over to me, so politely and obediently. We need to give them more chances to explore and live their own life. What a beautiful chemistry class I had?

 

..........to be continued!!!

Beyond the US Election

One of the very unique and most tensed yet interesting US elections between two men of completely different personalities is finally over after a neck-to-neck dilemma to White House. Although officially every single vote count is over and time for the new president elect to be sworn in the office, however, Trump accused the new president elect for falsely claiming the victory way before the vote count is over and some states for "officials misconduct" and being "biased" on the Republicans Government. 

Biden is known for his down-to-earth personality and his ability to connect with the working-class people. His eight years as a vice president under Obama, is a major selling point for the Democrats and other admirers. 

Joe Biden has a lot of home assignments to finish before he officially takes over the White House. The Democrat government is now in all respects in an infinitely better position for dealing with the world outside than they were during Trump rule. It is fair to say that the primary responsibility of the untoward president elect is hugely beyond his office walls. It is time to re-establish lasting relationships with other countries and regions diplomatically and more politely. It is time to heal all the actions of Trump's government and put forward for Trump's weaknesses to deal with other leaders. It is time to re-connect and make a new deal especially with the "WHO" (World Health Organization) and bind more international bodies. For the damage caused for the "WHO" by President Trump, he needs to go back to primary school and re-learn the aims and objectives of "WHO". He should know that Health is a right of every citizen and each year WHO saves millions of lives across the world. 

Biden has a big role to play for his divided nation and reunite back as one strong nation and show the world that Americans are a great human race. I have no doubt that Biden will relook at the climate change challenge with other world leaders and make it more lasting for our future generations. It is also time for him to relook on policies of trade deals and solve the immigration issues. He also needs to relook at effective ways to tackle Mexico border issues and fix Russian influence on the North and Afghans. Also on the public censure, which has severely fallen apart like the "Covid-19" infection rate that has become one of the undoubted difficulties and embarrassment for the world's most advanced country. Biden needs to uplift the national honor that has been there for centuries for Americans by building the trust and faith of his people first and to the world across. Time to safely build stronger trade deals with China and peaceful talk with the Pyongyang Government of the nuclear power house safety. Otherwise, there would be an unquestionable security and threats to Americans ahead of his leadership. There is no doubt about the energy and courage of the president Joe Biden to unify the nation both physically and morally and become a humble president of the USA. May the light of happiness once again be shown in the land of English people?

Trump has the "humdrum" kind of personality and dreams for Americans to what Joe Biden has for the country. He became the most repulsive leader not only for the US but also to the world. He failed as a leader to bring up some of his signature issues as the US president: restricting immigration and building a wall at the Mexican border, canceling many international deals on trade, arms control and climate change to name a few. He has also withdrawn many American troops from overseas. And finally, for selfishly trying to withdraw from the WHO board, which was there for ages, is something he needs to seriously learn and relearn.

Personally, I feel president Trump is a carefree guy but a great leader for the Native Americans. He has extraordinary dreams for the United States with the mission of "America First" but he couldn't accomplished all his pledges all through 4 years. I am sure he will heal his heart with his young wife and have a good time for his aging life. He can sleep in peace with no worries to fire anyone or summon anyone to the Supreme Court. He can also dedicate his life to playing golf games all day long. He can have time to reassemble and expand his business affairs. Although it is utterly shameful for Trump to lose this election, he has plenty of time to reflect on his failures and come back strong in the next election.

The President of the US earns the highest respect since the president has a huge role to play for the whole world. However, the United States of America has lost a businessman but not a diplomatic leader.