Have Our Private Schools Done Enough - Some Serious Questions

Education is considered as the heart of any nation. Therefore, a progressive nations look at education from a very different angle and give it the due importance it deserves. 

 

The news by some media about private schools shutting their doors for higher secondary admission from next academic year is not good news for all of us. The way our private owners giving up their education business established with much sacrifice is not the ultimate solution. 

Though a heart-breaking news, I can still see an ample chance to prove themselves worthy. For they have come this far, instead of feeling defeated, they should prove by setting their new standard, which can bring them more fortune and their business can easily be timeless.

 

A huge number of young children being forced out of Bhutanese education system simply indicates  our schools are not doing enough. Therefore, many elite parents who think the importance of education send their kids to performing International Schools in India and abroad. 

 

I believe that we simply fail to be a competitive partner, lack innovation and setting standards were never felt necessary because each passing year was simple and ordinary. For most, the numbers of new admission have mattered and calculated. By my layman's calculation, even small numbers of students keeps business afloat and running. 

 

Should we realign in our approach and mentality, I can see ample opportunities in getting back old milking cows. 

 

For the past few years, amongst many other private schools, I have seen the ELC High School at Thimphu doing quite well under the dynamic leadership of the school principal. What really amazed me is the number of students they admit. To me small and manageable numbers of students are their strength and each pupil seems to be performing very well.

Even more intriguing to me was their mental wellness classes and other extracurricular activities are what is missing in our education system. I feel this is truly an act of smart approach to education because education is not simply empowering the brain and knowledge but a whole approach. 

 

I saw many life changing experiences being given to each child on this campus. I am equally thrilled by the way they manage and treat each child for their wholesome development by including some exchange program as part of their learning and it has already been proving worthwhile and the good news is that they have set quite a high bar for themselves already. 

I can see this school can stand on the shoulders of their past achievements. Although, it is going to be an uphill task and looks like it will take some bit of Ms. Deki’s time and effort. But, I can see a sustaining future of ELC High School even at the cost of the storm of Thimphu valley as Ms. Deki stands high above on the hill facing the Great Buddha Dordenma Statue.

In my eyes ELC is already proving a right place to start education. For western educated Madam Deki, there is no looking back, storms may come and go, but the foundation of this school shall remain rooted in Thimphu soil. 

IELTS – And – Me

Of late, Australia has become one of the easy destinations not only for educated but also for uneducated one. Therefore, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) has become a lifeline for aspiring individual. 

However, to me I never dreamt beyond this nation –I would like to be honest and work for this nation that has given me so much peace and happiness, including free education and medicare. Likewise, I would like to serve His Majesty and this nation with utmost dedication and integrity. For the longest time, my mind was never beyond the call of national interest. 

 

However, recently I was motivated to take this test along with hundreds others who are wishing for foreign dream. Initially, it came just that I really wanted to challenge myself and check my English status because it is required for every small task and all. I just wanted to try and raise my bar in this area because English is required in all spheres of life. 

Like any other fellow aspiring youth, I gave it a try after my brother insisted on me a number of times because he has seen teachers getting through so easily not only in test scores but also visa offers. It may be because they are nation builders and God must be merciful to this profession and individual. Therefore, to simply fulfill my brother's wish, I prepared for a few weeks in between my work and home and gave a test. 

On the test day, coming across a huge number mostly composed of young and energetic youth deeply worried me, who has all the power and ability to build this nation greater than anyone else in the world. 

Having lost in a pools of thoughts and some uneasiness within, it was a nice experience altogether, but on the other hand, we are steadily losing the young, talented, energetic and educated section of people to abroad for very genuine reasons, which for a small nation like ours is a big worry and a concern that matters so profoundly because active and productive citizen matter in the development process of the nation. I strongly feel that it is equally important for us to reflect upon our past and accordingly set system and policies of what went wrong and what can be done in such a critical moment. It is also time to really give a second thought on what lies with His Majesty's beautiful quote "what we lack in numbers, we must make up for in talent".  

With all kinds of feelings, unknown in the centre, with all faces hidden behind the mask, I gave my attempt that opened the window of foreign opportunity. The dazzling hall with around 300 people is making their way to the Australian dream. The supervising examiner made a brief announcement for the whole exam process and schedule. What amazed me more was the total number of test takers (672), which is a huge number for the population size of our country. I had my test after a hard and nerve wrecking 3 hours intense session. On the other hand, there was a moment where I just wanted to give up and run away for different reasons.

Having sweat for 3 long hours, or so, the dream of foreign land and minting dollars isn’t easy and forgiving. This could be one reason why most of our fellow Bhutanese become greedy and selfish for the fact that the process isn't easy and worth someone's selfishness. 

Let me share a few other thoughts that came to me while preparing and taking the test. Altogether, this test requires a different level of preparation and mentality since different approaches are being administered. At one point, I felt IELTS is more of a comprehension test and a time management skill.

One needs to be differently smart with a high tolerance level. Test takers must not only have the general idea and pattern of the test but also need to prepare a high level technique. Therefore, one's passion, practice and mindfulness are key to a good band score. 

In addition, those wishing to sit for a test can simply refer to a few authentic sources like Cambridge Test which are available online and some online tutorials. As one prepares for the exam, one must always adhere to a time bound setting test, need to be exceptionally good in listening skills, fast in comprehension, therefore, one must develop an english mind and eye for taking this test. I was suggested to have an Eagle eye and Dog ear! Nevertheless, someone comforted that it mostly depends upon sheer luck and indivisible force. Therefore, even at the scariest time, I learn to develop my English mind which comes at the cost of practice and passion. Nevertheless, scanning and skimming are the two important skills one need to possess for the test. The other important lesson I had was that one must not only develop a quick mindset in coordinating ideas and writing skills but also one needs to be relevant and clear to impress appraisers. Therefore, one must remember there is no room for a mistake –as one score can undo the whole result process and it costs you madly. 

With experience, I did not find much relevance in daily affairs and the testing mandates. For which listening test is only to check someone's listening power. Similarly, reading takes a very different approach as I felt more like a time management test and nothing more. On the other hand, writing and speaking tests are two different skill testing exams, first is organizing ideas and the latter is more of a confidence and expression test. 

However, there are things that I like very much about this testing system –some questions and conversations are too good to miss. Many different sections of comprehension like looking for heading, flowchart, synonyms, etc really gripped my attention that require a high level of focus and determination. I hope a few of our exams will be like such testing systems in the near future. And even more interesting was the quality of the answer paper. I wish such a quality of academic plan and process would be part of other academic affairs. 

This is one of the craziest tests I have appeared so far and would be remembered for many reasons hereafter.

Zero Waste Bhutan APP and Bhutanese

Source: google

With an online app and reporting system, there is a little hope and probably a last chance to realise waste and littering issues to fix. We must fix this issue at the earliest, more wholesomely than ever.

 

What does it mean by this online waste app? Did we fail to keep our surrounding litter-free? Does it talk about our poor waste discipline? Where have we gone wrong in this mission?

 

I have always been one of the avid advocates and social workers in this field for so long. One thing that so much that gripped me for the longest time is the work of waste, which I did so sincerely and wholeheartedly for the nation and most of us think that this is not a serious matter to discuss and many think that this issue can be solved on its own, which is wrong. I have never found this program to be effective and successful even with our educated section of society. Therefore, over the years, I lose my faith in the waste management campaign program taken up by different individuals and institutions. 

 

Every time I come across someone initiating or picking up someone's litter, I feel pity for them losing their precious time, energy and resources. 

 

Recently, I was part of the ongoing National Campaign on Zero Waste Bhutan App led by the District Environment Officer and his team. They hope to launch this online app on November 11. The day is so significant for Bhutanese people since it is a day to celebrate the Birth Anniversary of our beloved Great Fourth, which is a good day to start this national initiative. 

 

Due to my interest in this social area, I know quite a lot about waste management policies before I take refuge in front of the team. I know how to effectively manage my waste. However, listening to them wasn't anything new to me at least, because I am doing my part of managing whatever amount of waste I produce on my own so far without a single campaign and incentive –I am doing this as a concerned citizen. This is the simplest act to give back to the nation for all the privileges of free education and healthcare I have received without any denial.  Simplest thing I do on a daily basis is a small act of taking care of my waste. From the time I knew my existence, tiniest wrapper always goes in the right place. This is my fundamental duty!

 

As sweet as they claimed, it won't be any easy game, what lies ahead is still difficult, it is quite clear that -this national move would be tricky and challenging as we move forward, but our little contribution would be a game-changer. The simplest steps we must encourage and take in this endeavour is to educate our children at home consistently. Furthermore, framing a national curriculum on waste and littering programs at school and community with monitoring can be a turning point, otherwise, we are Bhutanese with our own Bhutanese instinct. 

 

Let me share one interesting program I came across in NHK World –a Japanese TV channel a few years back. I fell in love with that old lady who is said to be so addicted to organizing waste at home. She went on to explain how careful she acts when it comes to waste. What kept me so much close regarding the program was her humanness, mindfulness, rigor and consistency even at an age when most of our people retire back from life is what is different for a Japanese woman. This is simply an exemplary act of human beings. She has a separate dumping bin for –organic, dry and hazardous. What is more mesmerizing than this small act of goodness. Most of her kitchen waste goes back to the kitchen garden as organic manure and the rest of the bin goes to the right dumping truck. I feel this is a missing link here with us. 

 

Catch phrase of this app is so beautiful –Zero Waste Bhutan by 2030. How? Why so long? 

What is wrong with My Waste, My Responsibility, which has turned quite ominous and blind when we have many systems in place.

 

They have this crazy proposal of reducing disposal at landfill to 80%, but what and how is missing. Most of the sharing happened just that the nation is made to follow this online app but the pathway is ambiguous. However, waste management facilities such as drop off centres, waste collection facilities, facility maps and street litter bins are reassuring only if every single Bhutanese takes them with open heart, and sincerely for the cause of this great nation.

 

It is easier said than done, if not any other initiative –it is time to act in this national interest like no other program. Time is now!

 

 

Chubachu-Jungshina Expressway—Is it a Dead End

The recently opened Chubachu-Jungshina expressway in Thimphu has become cause of a concern for various reasons. Initially, this road had picked a hard turn especially for North-Thimphu residents, offices, and schools. Perhaps, what I thought from miles away was that it's an opportunity to showcase our engineering piece, however, traffic diversion has caused palpable congestion and other inconveniences. Then came little happiness upon seeing the shaping of roads but only to find unlimited obligation –one common concern is for the over-speeding!

The reasons for over-speeding could be due to smoothness and wide space. The other reasons could be the only pothole-free roads to showcase a driving test. Maybe for these reasons, this highway picked up news for over-speeding, accidents, hitting and wrong turns. Nevertheless, manual monitoring can not only become disaster for extended period of time but also taxing and expensive. 

Why do we need to man this road involving traffic personnel with long range cameras to trap overspeeding, when we have advanced technology at hand, which is far more cheap and efficient than the current system. What I am not happy about is the manner in which the current monitoring system. How far can this action and monitoring go? What if a more sustainable system of check and balance is put in place rather than deploying check-points of traffic personnel for 24-hour? Is education too little to win the heart of Bhutanese drivers, or are we sort of good brains? I like the idea of monitoring the driving skills of our mindless drivers, however, I don't buy this manner of doing things at such an advanced time and age. 

I am sure it is costing us more, the government coffer is sinking and these personnel on duty can be used to perform some other useful task such as in nation-building. I have an easy solution to offer for those drivers who wish to fly, or drive. Let them fly, or drive as they wish –let them, because nothing will cost more than their own speed. These measures will take a long to ignite Bhutanese deep-seated brains. It sounds more like a “Dog Tail Tale” and littering agenda and water-shortage issue to address. For a prosperous nation, small things like this should be guided by our human instinct and free education. This is too crazy for a nation -whose dream is bigger than a Dog Tail. Simply, it's Okay to lose some lives! We may lose a few precious lives, but no all. The action has to stop by the experience and not merely by some protocols. I personally feel this small act of individual responsibility of self-care and self-love can be a game changer for this matter. If one can't stand for a nation-building, stand to drive carefully and with the required speed-limit, rest will be taken care of of its own accord. 

To keep everything on check-and-balance, what if a co-partner, friend, or stranger takes the same car to educate an aware driver flying a car and their lives are at stake. Incase of public transport, it is the fundamental right of each passenger to be driven at a reasonable speed and not at the killer speed. Otherwise, it is an act of violation and one can sue the other party for risking their lives. 

Let us go by our instinct and love for self and not by mere force, it is too expensive in nature.