Getting at The Heart of Teaching

Indeed, it was a tough –roller coaster – demanding year [2021] altogether grappling with COVID-19 pandemic and academic hassle.  For me it was a year with a new experience to maneuver, having to know and adapt with new people and places. 

Having worked with people of the same background, it wasn't so difficult getting along with them.  Although it took some time and space, I became part of them and the system.  

 

New to the campus, except for one, I couldn't deny any other responsibilities assigned to me. I requested school management to give me a few Chemistry classes to keep flow in the subject matter, should I have to handle it in future. After all, it is my bread earner!

 

I was given the class teacher-ship of class 10 D, the class with 8 girls and 15 boys. The section is well known for academic deficiency and ruggedness. As agreed with the academic head, 23 heads seem ideal to manage. However, over the course of time, many changes took place –merging, reshuffling and shifting of sections. So, 3 girls and a boy were pushed in making a total of 27. This arrangement was made to decongest and create academic balance in all four sections of ten. In the next week, I got 3 more new admissions making the grand total to 30 heads. However, looking at the manners of Bhutanese classroom, I was thoroughly distressed. I choose to teach in a classroom of not more than 24 students.

 

I am made to face a brand new group of people, eager for their first lesson. To begin with, I said heavily, you have got to understand that life won't be easy here. You must learn to sacrifice and possibly need to increase your GB [gigabyte] if you wish to prosper in life. 

 

My first lesson was basically to bring them on board. So begin with school policy.  I gave utmost importance to punctuality, absenteeism, mental wellbeing, self-care, waste management and littering. However, a Chemistry lesson has always occupied the greater share of discussion. As I delve deeper into the euphoria of chemistry, the classrooms become filled with happiness, excitement and engagement. A topic such as Royal Vision, leadership, hydropower and taking care of government property have never failed to inspire us. 

 

We emphasized two things. One, we have taken punctuality so seriously. Initially, I saw a few of them have had tough times but slowly all of them have managed well, while the second was to give the very best of our collective effort in morning SUPW. We believed in teamwork and collaboration. For all our workmanship, we were in 7/26 positions. This was our biggest achievement of the year. 

Achievement of Merits

With constant battle between COVID protocols and academic pressure,  few boys started to be irregular with many excuses. So by Mid Term, 4 boys have left the school. One boy has to leave school for his frequent absenteeism, while the other three have taken their own decision to quit schooling. Now one boy is taking care of his mothers business, another gentle man joined the Royal Bhutan Army, the other chooses to become an Automobile Mechanic and the other boy is helping his parents manage some home affairs.   

 

Finally, class 10 D shrinked to 12 girls and 14 boys. Despite many odds, I still hope to complete the year with them happily. I wish everyone to successfully complete the BCSC exam. I am happy to share that each individual is special, gifted and divine. 

 

We have done our own share of work. We have achieved what is expected of us. We were in the ring throughout the year. We learnt to give our best and present ourselves in the best manner possible. We were "Hummingbirds" of our own on the campus giving our best to every single activity.

 

As a teacher, we can do so much. There are endless opportunities to change someone's life. We are educators and trained to make a difference in someone's life. So I made 30 precious  "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" in Damphu Campus and –beyond.

 

As we are looking forward to closing the long academic year, we are also looking to a fulfilling and a memorable year ahead. More than a class, we became part of a big family. 

 

Class of 2021, 10 D

 

Book Review: Jonathan Livingston Seagull

The book is about a seagull bird trying to conquer the world beyond daily norms of life –flying and eating.

In this book the author has emphasized on the feeling of being limitless and inspires the mind to stand out and become who you want to be regardless of others. 

 

It teaches the quest for excellence can be a lonely one. However, it's important to set vision and ambition.

 

The author describes the importance of spirituality in one's life. The deeper meaning is in pursuing the joy of flying while other seagulls were flying just for the sake of finding food. On the other hand, the author showed the compassion of Jonathan towards his flock that they too should learn to be free and outdo the limits to live freely and enjoy what is given to them.  

 

However, Jonathan Seagull was quite different to the rest of the flocks since he spent much of his time practicing flight, dive and speed beyond daily flying lessons. He failed a thousand times before he succeeded to be like two other seagulls so high up flying. In the adversities, he was neglected and ignored. But, he did not stop his focus. This should be life's goal. 

"The gull sees farthest who flies highest" is so true not only to those gulls but also to our everyday life. It teaches us the lesson of trying more. 

If anybody can show someone on the ground how to see a thousand miles, it will be Jonathan Livingston Seagull. 

This book will always be a top favorite and I wish more people would read and be their own Jonathan Livingston Living. 

 

 

Book Review: Ikigai

Author: Hector Garcia and Francex Miralles (Translated by Heather Cleary) 

Ikigai as it is said in the book –is a mysterious word. It loosely translates to mean the Art of staying young while growing old. The book is all about the story of Japanese people who have lived over a hundred years of age and more.

 

The content is simple yet very profound and fascinating on humanity’s architecture –long life, faith and in fact, one wholistic approach to a beautiful and healthy lifestyle in harmony with the world around us. I found it irrepressible and so relevant to all walks of life –race, gender, nationality. 

  

I am deeply moved by the concept of not retiring. It wasn’t uncommon to find Japanese people remain active even after they retire. They keep doing what they love for as long as their health permits. This is what we must learn and adopt individually. Ikigai brings satisfaction, happiness and meaning to lives. 

 

I felt so close reading through the 80 percent secret. Fill your belly to 80 percent of the stomach size. However, one thing that triggered me was, can it be possible here in a Bhutanese society? We love to blust our belly to 110 percent and carry a malnourished belly for the rest of our life. Anyway, it is up to the individual. I have been practicing this for many years. I hate having a fat tummy! The secret is within us. 

 

This book has given me an overview of the life philosophies of a few international champions of longevity, about supercentenarians –people who live to 110 years of age or more. They were all superheroes, which came at the cost of great self-care and discipline in eating and sleeping. 

 

The other advice laid in the book was, the secret in smiling and having a good time. Japanese people strongly believe in the coexistence of mountains, rivers, sea, trees, earth, wind and animals. It's important to show each element a great respect. Therefore, believing in all these elements makes them closer to nature and life and makes their mental wellbeing strong.

 

The game of gateball was seen as one key secret to long life. However, playing this game at 104 years old is something we must deeply ponder upon when in our society at 56 to 60 years, most of the people retire to enter a solitary(religious) life and become insensitive to everything. From then they hardly grasp and thumb around for any task or exercise, which makes them susceptible to attack by many lifestyle  diseases. In addition to playing and celebrating as a community, spirituality is also essential to happiness and long life. 

 

We must learn to remain busy and engaged with small or little activity throughout the day. The other secret is eating a lot of home grown vegetables, green tea, shikuwasa juice and spring water.

 

I have a huge admiration and regard for the people of Japan for creating so many beautiful things including a very complicated toilet system. 

 

 

What More Than an Executive order

Life with COVID is already pressing and frustrating. And having to follow unending executive orders and protocols is yet creating another deadlock in the public. 

Knowing the fast transmissible nature of this variant [Omicron], why were the foreign labourers imported without due process? Who is accountable?

I did not take much interest when MoE passed an ultra executive order stating all the schools with class X and XII to function in self-containment mode for a month or so with immediate effect. I was never into the idea. I was least bothered but kept following some authentic news outlets. I knew the much-awaited unfolding consequences. I usually don't rely much on quick order. Decisions such as this shouldn't come at such haste. They should work, plan, think, discuss, and reflect more than just merely sitting for a meeting to pass an executive order is absolutely mean.

Arrangements such as fooding and lodging for more than 1000 heads in most of the campus without proper rooms, toilets, washrooms, water and lighting would be a nightmare, very tiring and costly. I know how difficult boarding schools are facing on a daily basis to manage a handful, hardly 200-300 border students with hostel amenities in place. 

First, thing I saw was, inconveniences for a feeding mother [teacher] to be on campus just to meet the national order. This is not fair on human ground. It's difficult to manage a small kid by person away from home to a different atmosphere. There are many teacher couples in the same school with small kids, managed through day babysitters, or by aging parents. There are many single parent teachers who have their kids and parents to look after and some couples whose spouses work in different agencies and need pick and drop service. Further, there are teachers who need to attend to their aging parents, or special children back at home. So making such a hoax plan would serve the national cause but not humanity.

The other pressing issue we have in our present school setting is, our school infrastructures are never...never... never meant to hold such an arrangement since most of our school buildings do not have proper doors, floors, windows, staircase, ceiling; lighting system, toilets, water. 

I am consoling this shall pass too and life will be all-better thereafter. 

 

 

Truth Behind Wangdue [PHPA] Community Case

Everything worthwhile comes with a price and most of those prices are hidden underneath. They are often risky to extract. Therefore, please, let's not blame humble labourers who have left their family behind to be with our national project. 

There was a huge fuss when the first community case was detected in unexpected areas of Wangdue Phodrang when all the borders were closed and every point of entry (POE) under strict surveillance of committed people.  

Dr. Tandin pleading on national television was a clear indication of some hidden agendas that went wrong in the PHPA quarantine center.

Nonetheless, this is not the time to blame and point fingers at each other. More than anything, national solidarity is what we must come for at such times; national unity is required more than ever. But for the nation, greater interest and regard must have played a critical role while making such a high decision. 

What I have claimed in the past 2 years is seamlessly turning out to be true -one-after-another. Quarantine centers would turn into a graveyard if not taken extreme measures. In such a critical place, officials on duty must learn to give above 100 percent not just merely guarding; one must possess the quality above loyalty and must be truly dutiful in service. It is not enough to be just honest and dedicated, true selflessness and integrity has to be the core rule of heart in such a heavy national duty. Besides these, people working at the center must possess high resilience and shouldn't falter so casually. 

I am neither against anyone nor the quarantine centers, but the manners in which it is managed is something we must be careful of. Placing some blind trust would cost us even more. And this should serve as a lesson for all of us in overcoming this situation. 

Should we leave quarantine centers less unguarded, we will continue to create national havoc and the trend will continue to live until this virus is completely eliminated, but all in doubt? The choice is in the service of our National Guard. Let's not lower our guardians, ethics and morale in guarding our country from this enemy in all means. Rest is in the prayers of God.

 

 

 

Yesha’s Work During Lockdown

Happy Family

Building We Reside

Imagination beyond my interpretation

IIt won't be fair on our [parent] part if we miss to archive this little drawing painstakingly prepared by Yesha.  The gift of beginner’s artwork and I shall cherish forever. 

The hard work and creativity put in by my little daughter during lockdown time was impressive and shall occupy a special place in my heart and possibly on the walls of our home. It won't be surprising to most of us in the era ruled by smart technologies that can do such little things in a click, more accurately than what a common man takes ages. 

This little pencil work done by Yesha isn't so artistic and chic, but to us [parent] this little thing she did being away from gadgets and screen is something amazing. Such a small unit of activity only binds us more and makes us feel happy, proud and connected. 

My mother always says, son, it’s ne’er easy to be a parent. It needs a lot of patience, effort, sacrifice, hardship, pain and collaboration among others to be a parent. But one thing is certain; we start to feel the true meaning of love. Every time we come together as a family, it gives the essence of human touch.

Right from dawn to dusk, they nag you with endless demands –be like them, act like them, listen like them, eat like them, smell like them, run after them. This often seems odd but it always adds up good value that makes us feel for others. 

Third day of the lockdown, high with fatigue and boredom for being squared with limited space. Therefore, I chanced to give a final touch to some unfinished work on the table. Yesha suddenly demanded a pencil and a paper.  As usual, I got her a pencil and a paper. No sooner did she receive her tools, she settled down to inscribe something. I mined my own business in the radar of her younger brother, who is more active than whole family members.

It didn’t take much for Yesha to come up with a stick drawing of our family members, the building we reside in, shape of a heart, number 6, woman crying and a few alphabets. Isn't this her instant thinking, or something she dares so much? It seems she was in a good mood. She came up with her own artwork. She must be feeling the connection of a family, the place where we reside in, and must be undergoing some battle of emotions. Above all, it was impressive work from my daughter. 

Are you planning to raise smart kids ready for the 21^st century? The question is how serious are we? What are the programs in place?

NHK World, Japanese English Channel is a good platform for young people to watch and learn, mostly filled with educational content. Arirang News, a Korean channel is yet another exciting Channel packed with many learning for kids. Letting them watch a few good programs would be a good mix for young minds to imagine and explore. Try a few programs with your kids.

There are interesting topics such as carbon emission, environment, littering, ice melting and polar bears drowning, compassion and non-violence, peace, freedom, and community, technology, fashion, food, and traveling. Because I believe much in these elements of life, after school. 

This small act of archiving her innocent work would be a good mix to reflect that her childhood days were indeed filled with worthy activities. I am basing it on making her feel that she grew and treated so well and was given every opportunity as a child. When she comes of age, I would just say daughter, go on and explore more, there is nothing wrong in dreaming more. 

This is the artwork of my daughter YESHA RAI, and this March 18, she turns 5 years old. On this day, I will whisper in her ear, this is the beginning of your era...keep going, keep working... 

MORE... It's your time!

Lessons From Lockdown

Whether "Lockdown" or "Blackout", it's the same, we are confined to the four walls of our home. Perhaps, this pandemic has equipped us of lockdown dos and don'ts and expected of us as a concerned citizen. 

 

For a long time I have been cautious of porous borders and quarantine centres for the likely source of the virus in the community. There isn't a better option for a heavily dependent nation than to savor the path through collective effort and learning to live with the virus. Today as I sit down for another lockdown experiencing both fun and pain, I worry about the risk of spreading the virus from a careless individual who can undo all our efforts put together thus far. 

 

This lockdown is strangely heartbreaking for some reasons. 

 

I neighbor a family who runs an Automobile Workshop Shop. A man deeply rooted in mechanical skills and entrepreneurial ability is also a man known for his versatile tongue and his ubiquitous influence in the town is known for the number of calls he receives a day. Maybe people feel his good service and kind heart. I guess he has high qualities of a man. For the neighbor's gesture, he gave me free service last month fixing the steering motor. It was an utterly altruistic act and service to behold and there is no doubt for the level of service and sacrifice each mechanic makes in the line of duty from his car workshop.

 

We are into the fifth day of lockdown confined within limited space, it is so sure to cause fatigue and boredom. To keep myself busy, I started by washing my car. It took me at least one hour to bring down all the heavily dusted and muddied bodies. Then I took another half hour to clean underneath the seat and dashboard and windowsill to minute detail. It took my good sum of energy and skills to shine the rusty car, which is aging over a decade now. 

 

With some time in hand, I picked up the bucket, hand brush, surf and quickly rushed backside of the building to give some bit of bath to the carpet which was lying idly for quite some time without use. It took me 45 minutes and a heavy share of energy. So before I took it for drying, I rolled up and left it over the wall to drench its water. 

 

As I was walking, I bumped into my neighbor. We exchanged a few quick wishes and discussed the lockdown situation but only to remain another 72-hour at home. However, one thing caught me so seriously in our conversation. A mechanic wizard who always roars with wrenches in his hand has painfully shared with me, sir, month ending, I have 15 mechanics working with me and in weeks time, I have to pay them their monthly salary. I am worried if the lockdown continues for another week. I am dead as I am already running at a loss. This was the moment I felt pity for him. My heart goes out for service provider sectors, because these sectors have been the key economic muscle of the country but least bothered. They are truly nation builders. I couldn’t say much but felt his pain and concern. 

 

I pray he can regain his faith in the market as this virus eases from the community and his men get back into full swing.  

 

One of the toughest jobs I felt during the lockdown period was to babysit. I wish to be locked up in such a lockdown for at least 30 days nationwide 5 years from today, when my little boy turns 7 years old. By then I would be just sitting in front of TV, around the balcony, reading, chatting and coffeeing peacefully at my own pace and will. To babysit two equally innocent children locked up in a room is a hard battle fought in mud with sticks and stones. It's no surprise; everyone at such an age is proactive and naughty claimed my wife in unison. Perhaps, my two kids would be in line to an award for being active and participatory. I wonder where they get such a luxury of energy and ideas to jump, run, cry, fight, play, etc but I was heavily made to run and nurse them and often be the umpire in their rat race. Anyway, I wish them to grow well into a responsible and dutiful citizen. 

 

This lockdown has been fruitful in many ways. I could complete some of the unfinished work. I could screen some Nepali Movies to my mother who meticulously looks after my kids when we are off to work. I am happy in between, I could share some insights of the movies and make her feel that human touch of the movie. One point is so clear in the movies, the caste and gender is very obvious, so surreal and predicament. I could not only assist my wife in kitchen but also to a great deal of cleaning and arranging things in place. Nevertheless, if I were to zoom in from the satellite image, my body would be appearing so much behind the broom in hand and running after my boy. 

 

It was so naïve of me to think that babysitting is fun. 

 

It isn't at all.

 

I turned back and silently submitted to my wife's feet. 

 

...you win and I lose!

Guide link

https://www.hostgator.com/blog/ways-increase-blog-traffic/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=genericsearch&gclid=Cj0KCQiAip-PBhDVARIsAPP2xc37L285lYsk2wjBn7GFmeuabeu_1xQrXBod3ynBFcS9of4xqdc2Jo8aAgGyEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

 

For the love of literature, the passion for traveling, reading, photography, sanitation, education, roads, development, technology, patriotism, accountability, risk-taking, sense of duty, public service, corruption... I would be delving deep into these subjects for the sake of my own country. 

 

The above link shall remain as the design guide incase for making some images look attractive in blogging and any other presentations. The site looks honestly subtle and resourceful for anyone looking to give some lively looks to images and presentations. 

 

This link is drawn to keep track to my blogging site and for future references and not for any other purposes. I sincerely acknowledge the site for wonderful information and pieces of advice to upscale the online site such as blogging. 

Book Review: Make Your Bed

Make Your Bed: Little things that can change your life…and maybe the world. 

 

Should I claim this book to be the best I've ever read? Yes, undoubtedly one of the best books. But, hopefully it's not the end of my reading journey. I am hoping to read many great books. In fact, I have plenty on my bucket list. However, if I don't pass on the happiness and excitement I experienced reading this book, it won't be fair on my part to appreciate the author for bringing such a great piece of literature. I truly admire his beautiful thought that was well crafted into a formidable wisdom and life advice. The more I think and apply the book's wisdom on a daily basis, learning the art of making my bed, I feel closer to the author. 

 

"If you can't do 

the little things 

right, 

you will never 

do the big things 

right."

  

At night, you will go and find your bed –clean, fresh, beautiful, organized and welcoming. It sets you up in the right mind and attitude, not only to sleep but also it gives your whole day a sense of purpose and meaning. Above all, it deeply churns out many wow and spine shrinking feelings.   

 

The best thing you see before going to bed is your made bed. This habit sets the power and will to even organize your work place, to be ready for the next day. It sets you up for success in life as a more systematic and organized person. Therefore, learning to make your bed to perfection is a lesson to give importance in any tiny work you perform. 

 

"Making your bed 

may seem insignificant, 

but it sets you up for 

success." 

 

If you make your bed every morning very properly, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and by the end of the day that one task will have turned into many tasks completed. Therefore, tasks as small as making your bed will also reinforce the fact that the little things in life matter a lot. 

 

The following are the 10 topics discussed in the book by the author to lay down the idea of how the simple task of making a bed is important and necessary in life. Also remember the Author of the book brings in a simple topic of making a bed to pass down many other tiny works that matter in life, which we don't consider important ultimately are so most important.

 

#1. Start your day with a task completed

Well, it may sound small. One successful task as significant as making your bed, you will be setting yourself up for a successful day. Admiral always found solace in the simplest task of making his bed each day and every morning.

 

#2. You can't go it alone

Christopher Columbus is known to be the man to discover America, but he didn't do it alone. He couldn't have because the oceans are challenging at times with no advanced tools and equipment in hand. The secret is to find people to love and who love you back. 

 

#3. Only the size of your heart matters

It doesn't matter what job you do. It doesn't matter whether you are tall, short, man, woman because what defines you as a person is underneath all that. The size of your heart is what matters for any task you are set to go.

 

#4. Life's not fair –Drive on!

Life is not easy; don't try to make it that way. One must overcome adversity no matter what. You are the only person responsible for determining your fate so drive on till the very end. Therefore, keep trying is the only solution for anyone and anywhere.  

 

#5. Failure can make you stronger

Failure is inevitable; it's part of everyday life. You need an incredibly strong determination and tenacity to succeed and work hard towards your goals in all odds. 

 

#6. You must dare greatly

In order to be able to learn from your mistakes, you first have to be willing to make them. Don’t let the fear of failure stop you, just because you failed in the past, it does not mean you will fail again. Don't be afraid of trying again and again and again until success is by your side.

 

#7. Stand up to the bullies

Bullying can exist in many forms and it can happen anywhere and to anyone. Learn to adjust and overcome the tide and circumstances of life fragility. The other end is safer but it lies in your hand to stand up stronger and firm.

 

#8. Rise to the occasion

You have to be your very best in the darkest moments. Learn to adjust and make it happen. Get help from smart people and friends. Include family members. The end is sweeter and beautiful. 

 

#9. Give people hope

"While there is life, there is hope." The task you perform doesn't mean to benefit you alone. It goes beyond. So the ray of hope is alive in trying and there lies the bigger hope for others, even to the invisible one. 

 

#10. Never, ever quit!

Life will get tough at times and things will not go your way. When this happens, don’t quit. The great people have done it that way though many trying failures were actually their source of hope. Just remember, there are no free meals in life. So make it happen for you and others. Learn to make your bed!

 

 

The book is available online. Please download and read this timeless book that provides simple wisdom, practical advice and great encouragement that will inspire readers to achieve more and best, even in life's darkest moments. 

For the Love of Zhemgang Birds

I have been to almost every corner of Zhemgang hunting for birds and butterflies for almost half a dozen years. It wasn't easy though, but I had experiences of traveling long and wide into the jungles, valleys and around the bushes looking for birds.

The journey of bird watching is something I have developed long before I headed into Zhemgang. It's been there with me for many years since my boyhood. I used to love their color, feathers and nests. More importantly, birds' flying ability and diving skills used to mesmerize me a lot. Bird nest is something I used to enjoy watching as it was made with extra exquisiteness, very special and architecture. 

The journey I have trodden around the valley of Zhemgang was kept in small ways as zhemgang.gov.bt have featured some of my bird collections in their page. 

Follow this link 

http://www.zhemgang.gov.bt/tourism/serene-wilderness

Whats Wrong with Number NINE

The Telegram group was flooded with mixed feelings. Self-reflection and introspection was heavily made when one of our colleagues sent a screenshot of wrongly written number "NINE" by a grade 10 student. We were not mocking anyone but were lost in deep reflection of our education.

Although everyone wasn't born with the same luck, talent and intellect, we cannot push things for granted. Is it the curriculum that has holes, or the child that is special, or the teacher not meeting the demand? Something we really need to think and re-think. 

One thing is certain that our curriculum doesn't have room for differently abled pupils. Education system is very fixed and rigid. Many have argued that the current curriculum is simply a number that someone obtains in their exam. That means school churns out a huge number of students who can barely cook, write, speak and stand on their own. 

As a way to reflect and introspect our teaching, we landed up pouring out many points, which may, or may not be true. It is worth discussing for the future of the nation.

 

"One said". "Genius".

 

"Something we really need to reflect upon the child, or we. Puzzle to solve". "Said another".

  

"We are heading into a world of uncertainty. Yeah, a lot to introspect, anyway, happy day friends!” "Claimed another".

 

"We need to reflect. A grade ten student, not being able to write the correct number in our national language is worrisome. What's next? Get to know the child first". "Said another".

 

"Lal Said"."I think every solution –if we genuinely find it with our whole heart - might spring into a tasteful solution. I am hopeful the concept of backstories and roadmaps will be of immense help in knowing every child, -their learning and passion".

 

"Our curriculum is so rigid and bulky. Time to replace it with more practical and lively content rather than on a hard-core fact". "Said Puba". 

 

 

Friends, what a coincidence? "A week ago, interestingly I came across one of the grade 11 students who made the same mistake, blind opposite. While I was seriously brooding upon this, it also made me think so much about the child. It may look simple, but to me this looks like a big puzzle to fix". 

My stand is simple and straight. Same student was found glaring in other subjects. Least bothered about class activities and learning. The story doesn't end with one school and one child, almost 30 percent of kids do have interest but in different fields, not in learning chemistry, English and mathematics. It is beyond school, which is more practical in life.  

 

Indeed, educational institutes and universities are trying their best in providing quality education. However, there is a constant threat faced by the Ministry of Education, curriculum developers, schools and teachers who are constantly battling the diabolical fate of deteriorating quality of education. It was also learnt that schools and teachers are not doing enough in tackling this problem.

 

We must know that curriculum, school and teacher alone can't solve this issue. We must know that there are thousands of special kids at school who have severe learning difficulties and different interests. No Chemistry lessons, no Dzongkha lessons, no History lessons would interest them. Despite many systems in place, nothing seems to help them out. The new challenges ahead are spending exceedingly long time on screen and addiction to online games are posing a huge risk in the effectiveness of curriculum since most of the kids are seen lost and heavily driven by other fun.

 

Most of the kids are fond of learning sport, music, dance, yoga, cooking, swimming, painting, carpentry, culinary as full time education. I strongly feel that these fields seem ideal substitutes for kids with learning difficulties and uninterested ones. 

 

Are we preparing our kids to be world ready? 

 

In many aspects, I was fascinated by the Korean Education system. During my Fellowship, I was made to learn a mix of everything. Initially, I felt funny, when I was given a recipe for roasting potatoes and preparing Kimchi. Roast potatoes and Kimchi are the signature dishes for the ancient Korean. Knowing how to roast potatoes is not enough, rather knowing the right temperature; roasting procedures and presentation were given utmost importance. It involved a lot of patience and skills. 

 

In Korea, the curriculum approach is different. Teachers and schools are given a special place and ever since education is everyone's business. Students in their primary grades learn fundamentals such as self-care, sanitation, personal hygiene, family values, age-old tradition and discipline more than hardcore facts and figures. 

 

One touch I have had from their education is the curriculum on neonatal practical care lessons given to every kid in their primary schools. Schools make sure that every kid is given ample time for value education and culture. They introduce music, dance and sporting as part of the formal curriculum in their fundamental years, in their primary schools. Curriculum is such that every learner is given equal opportunity to learn and be part of school education. Blind children as they mature and complete their education gives them a place as a Massage Therapist.

 

There is also a strong hold curriculum on environment, sanitation, culture, self-care, littering and discipline that makes Korea great. The education board considers these learning as very important in nation building.

 

Classes on self-care, wellbeing, environment, sanitation, sporting would rather help add charm and value in a Happy Nation too.  

 

The Key Takeaway from 114th National Day Address

The Royal Vision is so clear, deeply concerning and Bhutanese. 

 

His Majesty’s emphasis on growing new technology such as –Blockchain, Fintech, Quantum, Computing, Artificial Reality, Virtual Reality, Metaverse, Robotics, Machine Learning and Web 3.0 is genuine. If we fail to adopt these changes as a nation, we will fall far behind as a nation. We must know these platforms are the lifeline hereafter.

 

Sweet reminder on our Hydropower. Chipping in for different forms of energy is seen as inevitable as the danger of hydropower coupled with other risky factors is seemingly becoming visible. Therefore, harnessing energy from Nuclear, Hydrogen, Fusion, Solar, Thermal and wind energy is seen as an ideal source of energy for a small nation like ours. 

 

The concern of an elderly village lady is so true, and reflecting. We must know that similar issues such as farm roads and buildings, electricity, drinking water, irrigation, mobile connectivity, schools, hospitals, land and shops are still far from hope for most homes and communities. However, money was seemingly the ultimate ball to ensure a comfortable livelihood. True to fact, building a vibrant socio-economic pathway for a country is an ideal place to start over our issues. 

 

As we embark into a new journey with a technology driven world, building good governance, encouraging innovation, creativity and enterprise mindset must take a deep root at the earliest.

 

His Majesty’s emphasis on accountability is a serious matter of concern. We must continue to embrace any change with greater ACCOUNTABILITY. 

In the service of the nation, I am ready, ARE YOU?