Skip to main content

Unveiling Teacher Agendas for the New Education Minister

As the torch of leadership in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development is now formally passed down to new management, the time is now for a revolutionary agenda that transcends the conventional. In my vision for the future, I present a condensed plan to redefine education, assessment, aesthetics, and holistic development at the forefront.

Assessment?

The cornerstone of my agenda for education lies in the reformation of the assessment system. I advocate for a fair and inclusive evaluation process that goes beyond standardized testing. What can we do more than solely rely on exam scores? Can we give a little more space than the typical means to judge different students?

By incorporating diverse assessment methods, including project-based evaluations, practical assessments, continuous feedback, and topic-wise assessment, we can honor the unique strengths of every student. This shift towards fairness ensures that no learner is left behind, fostering an educational environment that values the individual journey of each student. Let's not depend upon the face value of Dorji, Tashi, and Sonam. I wish we could have a system of grade systems of A+, A, or B, something holistic rather than mere reflection of marks. It does more harm than good. 


Better Primary Schools

The foundation of a strong education system rests upon the quality of primary schools combined with early childhood education. My agenda involves a focus on enhancing primary education by investing in the finest infrastructure, passionate teachers, and a flexible curriculum. Creating an environment that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking at the primary level and early childhood education sets the stage for lifelong learning and success. And if any education system fails to connect these two dots, no education system will succeed. 


Redesigning Hostels?

I hope I am fortunate with unending cash flow. One thing I wish to change is the hostel design and facilities. Our hostels are barely a structure with nothing of modern touches. 

I shared my concern and design of how our hostel should look like with the necessary facilities to someone who claimed to be the Ministry's Chief Engineer some years back in person but nothing has changed. I don't know how much change we are thinking in designing modern structures with Bhutanese touches.  I believe Hostel life is an integral part of the educational experience and the ones who take hostel journeys are usually less fortunate to be with their parents. Our hostels need a series of changes to both interior and exterior touches with good facilities and natural landscaping so that our students will have a good time and feel at home and safe. 

We don't want a washroom 100m away and water tape in another location. By embracing sustainable architecture, incorporating a lot of green spaces, facilities for snacks, coffee, eatery, and sports, and fostering a sense of community, hostels become not just places of residence but environments that inspire growth, and a connection with nature. 

Tailored School Designs for Different Class Levels?

I may sound a little odd but I am being blind honest about how we can pass the new design of primary schools to be the same as higher secondary schools. The needs are different. The kids are different. Therefore, I believe the approach of our school design should also change. 

Recognizing the diverse needs of students at different class levels, my agenda calls for customized school designs is a serious matter to think about and give a try. Higher secondary schools, for instance, should have standard classroom heights of 8ft, or 9 ft or more. I don't know how many copy paste designs are happening?

I am still wondering why footsteps and toilets are large, why not interview, survey, or seek suggestions from small kids about what and how they want their classrooms and schools to look like? The answer is not in the air, but in our young children, they are the world, they have to validate the progress, and they are the ones who would be using, this I believe is how we build a great nation. Aesthetic view is another aspect we have forgotten long ago, we have never cared about how a beautiful campus is associated with good learning. Tailoring the physical environment to the developmental stage of the students enhances their overall learning experience has never been in our agendas. 

Beyond Rice, Curry, and Dal Menus?

A significant aspect of holistic education involves nurturing healthy habits. My agenda extends beyond traditional diets of rice, curry, and dal to incorporate a diverse range of nutritious food items such as green vegetables, fruits, and soups. I have been shouting that we have mountains of locally available vegetables and fruits better than anything in the world. Why not make the best use of it? Our habits have to be nurtured daily and more so in formal school settings, in gangs. By partnering with nutritionists, schools can create menus that cater to the nutritional needs of students, fostering not only academic excellence but also overall well-being. Our people in the kitchen are basking all day long, a little more homework would be a journey to heaven.

Parent Partnership?

Education is a collaborative effort, and my agenda emphasizes the importance of parent partnership. Why not make better use of our parents? 

By establishing open lines of communication, involving parents in decision-making processes, and organizing regular parent-teacher interactions, we create a supportive network that actively contributes to the holistic development of the child. 

More than a School Surrounding? 

The physical environment plays a crucial role in shaping the educational experience. My vision includes creating aesthetically pleasing school surroundings that inspire creativity and a love for learning. Our school surroundings are deserted with broken pieces of rock, windows, doors, chairs, tables, and more. Beautiful landscape campuses and thoughtfully designed spaces contribute to an atmosphere that fosters curiosity and intellectual exploration.

Diversifying the Curriculum?

To prepare students for the complexities of the modern world, my agenda targets a diversified curriculum, more than what we have. Beyond traditional subjects, students should have the opportunity to explore beyond arts and sciences, but more vocational education to the interest of students. This approach not only caters to diverse interests but also cultivates well-rounded individuals ready to face the challenges of the world.


This school teacher agenda for the new Minister of Education and Skills Development is a call to reimagine the educational landscape through hardship and experience in different schools and management.

The time for transformation is now, and this agenda paves the way for a future where education is not just a process but a profound journey of discovery and growth.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Golden Words Of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck

King Jigme Singye Wangchuck "...in particular, speaking for myself; my sorrow in having lost my own father is indeed very great. What is more the country has lost a king whose kind has till now never been known..."                                                                ( Royal proclamation to the people of Bhutan, July 26, 1972)                                      "...as far as you, my people, are concerned, you should not adopt the attitude that whatever is required to be done for your welfare will be done entirely by the government. On the contrary, a little effort on your part will be much more effective than a great deal of eff...

The Story of Malika Chand.

There lived a schoolteacher named Malika Chand. She loved teaching and treated her students as she would, her own children. Nurturing their potential with great kindness. Her perennial motto was, 'Your,  I can is more important than your,  IQ .' She was known throughout her community as a person who lived to give. Who selflessly served anyone in need? Sadly, her beloved school, which had stood as a silent witness to the delightful progress of generations of children, succumbed to the flames of a fire set by an arsonist one night. All those in the community felt this great loss. But as time passed by, their anger gave way to apathy and they resigned themselves to the fact that their children would be without a school. "What about Malika?"   "She was different, an eternal optimist if there ever was one. Unlike everyone around her, she perceived opportunity in what had happened. She told all the parents that every setback offers an equivalent benefit ...

In The Shoe of Rinzin Namgyal Sir

Rinzin Namgyal Sir. Photo: Sancha Rai Rinzin Sir (R) & Kuenzang T. Sir (L). Source: Sancha Rai Rinzin Namgyal, who served as the School Principal of Zhemgang Central School (ZCS) from 2013 to the end of 2020, is regarded as one of the most dynamic leaders in the school's history.  Coming from the small village of  Langthel  in  Trongsa , he began his career as a Physics & Maths teacher and later served as vice-chair at Jigme Sherubling CS in the east before taking on the role of Principal at Zhemgang CS. Rinzin Namgyal, a man of few words yet a reservoir of wisdom and great personality has made Zhemgang CS heard at the national level not just in academics but also in other disciplines.  His tenure, marked by unwavering dedication and visionary leadership, transformed the school into a beacon of excellence in the heart of Bhutan. With an innate ability to lead, Rinzin sir embodied the qualities of a true leader—one who sacrifices for the greater...