Where Are We Failing?

Things are changing rapidly. Technology at its best. Economy expanding like no other times. Deadliest virus keeps attacking humans and fancy cars on the road. Therefore, it is not surprising to see our society changing as time passed by.  However, our new generation is so well integrated with all these changes. 

 

It is a matter of time. However, as a small nation we are failing somehow for so long. Some knots are seemingly loose. Maybe we are too complacent and do not hurt others. These were good in those olden days. 

 

The behavior and attitude of our youngsters are changing and seen as danger for the future. I feel we are failing in good parenting. But, good parenting isn’t all about a lavish financial support to spending holiday abroad, taking out for a dinner to hanging out with phones whole night to letting them sleep until noon.  It is –beyond that call. 

 

Poor parenting leads to a poor society. Youth with poor work ethics led to weak social bonds and poor sense of community. All of these led to slow progress be it development, or financial growth, which ultimately is very dangerous for a small nation with a weak economy like ours. 

 

It happened to me a few days back. I was rearranging some tables and chairs that were freely lying but so recklessly around school corridors. I was genuinely seeking some help to rearrange it in a human manner –more orderly and appropriately. Ofcourse, I knew who did that cheap arrangement. So, I gathered some students to help me fix that arrangement. Except for a few, all seems not so willing and forth coming even after several requests. However, I did not give up seeking their help. Looking at their unwillingness, it pained my heart so badly. It hurt me so much. I bitterly worried about their future and the future of the country. Sometime, I find it very hard to believe –“the future of the country lies in the hands of our Youth.” With such poor work attitude and commitment, we will reach nowhere, we will continue to be still poor and an average nation. We will never experience a new level of excitement in our development and progress. It seems like we will die poor. I didn’t find a single sense of belongingness especially in our young ones. There is no sense in their survival. There is also no proper sense of direction. Such are the manners when education is free. Therefore, holistic development of behavior and attitude shall come only when good parenting is up and constant. Should good parenting go well, it is not difficult to fix all this attitude and manner. Time is now, or never!

 

I have lately realized that our waste problem is everywhere and its everyone’s waste afterall, I strongly feel that it is a total failure in our good parenting and failure of primary schools. 98% of our waste are sweet covers and fizzy drinks bottles that are carelessly thrown mostly by our school going students. National highways are pitifully littered by our drivers and passengers, who were once students. Needless to say, Doma wrappers are savagely dumped by our educated lots despite several national headlines that cause serious national problems. In urban areas, 70% of waste is waste made from kitchen that are carelessly dumped everywhere that are making our environment inappropriately ugly and untidy to survive, who were once students, and a son/daughter of someone educated/uneducated. Now we are failing together as a nation. 

 

Looking at the mindset of present society, it seems to me like we are somehow failing in our primary education. This stage of education is very important and crucial. Anyone at this age needs to be cared for well. They need intense care and nourishment with good values that can last a lifetime. If everything has to go well, we must give 300% more importance in our primary school teachers and young students. We really need to take care of these young lots, going to be future custodians of ours, the guardians of peace. It is time to invest in our primary schools infrastructure and good human resources. We need absolutely more qualified and committed teachers working in our primary schools. Someone who can really change the mindset, attitude and behavior of our tender minds in a more holistic manner. Therefore, I offer my sincere special package for primary teachers and principals in order to compensate for their sacrifice and commitment.  

 

Should we take care of these two social components, I am sure we will not seemingly fail like this. This is a national concern.  

Coronavirus has Shaken the World

Not long ago the news hit with the Coronavirus case in Wuhan city of China. Alarmingly death rolled to 362, and 17,373 were infected with the virus globally. Also more than 20 countries were currently affected by this virus. Therefore, it is a very tense moment for all of us.

With such new disease in the easy market these days, I am worried I may not get a beautiful burial like my grandpa had, who died peacefully with old-age and got dignified death rites. Thus, this virus is fearsome to all of us. Therefore, we must prepare together and wisely, otherwise, everyone's death would be together like a Titanic Death. 

January month was declared as Coronavirus Global Health Emergency Call.  However, some expert's words have kept us alive since the outbreak of this virus. They are constantly working out for the possible medicine/vaccine to fight back this epidemic. 

We are happy to know Bhutan, a small country led by a Medical Doctor is well equipped not only mentally but also physically to battle this virus is something that keeps us alive and moving forward. 

But, there is no room for complacent and easy going. We need to be extremely watchful until the virus is completely controlled. 

My only worry is how our concern authorities are monitoring all our very disorganised and porous entry and exit points. I am worried about the biggest travel hub -Phuntsholing, where thousands of people travel across the border for business and holiday purposes. I am equally worried for Sarpang, Samdrupjongkhar, and Samtse districts for very easy access points as well. I am hopeful for the Paro entry point at least because of better and more organized travel points, and more resilient people working around.  

Although, we cannot completely stop the travel ban on every point with infected countries because life must go on, there must be a continuous supply of goods and services as we live in a very interdependent and interconnected world of economy and goods. Therefore, we can only minimize the travel of our people. The other is by reducing the entry points with an efficient system. 

We must put a collective effort and timely technical support whenever necessary. Therefore, it is also a very good opportunity for all of us to come together and fight this Virus, and also an opportunity to understand each other well. It is the test of time now. 

It would be an uphill task for Bhutan and Bhutanese if in case this virus happens to enter the country, since we greatly lack medical experts, technical resources, and other facilities. Since, very advanced countries (technically, financially and medically) like China are facing a challenging task in cutting down the further spread of this destructive virus so far.

Therefore, until we come and fight together, we cannot fight this virus alone. We need to remain cautious, we need to organize ourselves well, we need to be resilient at our outlets and we must unite well like no other time. We need to defend ourselves well with all our strength and courage in this win-win situation of Deadliest Coronavirus to ensure everyone is safe from the virus.

I extend my prayers and wishes for the life lost already due to this virus and equally I pray for the infected ones for their fast recovery. 

I pray for China to resume Her Global Economy Power and regrow even better and uphold soon, otherwise, far needy countries may suffer from hunger of supply goods than fear of Coronavirus Death. COVID-19!

National Service – Above Oneself

The news of His Majesty giving a Royal Audience to over 500 teachers who are currently in the evaluation camp at Samtse College of Education spread like a wildfire. It didn't even take a minute to reach the farthest corner of the SCE campus. Some call it a rare chance, I call it a golden opportunity in a lifetime. Everyone in the camp was overjoyed with excitement and happiness. It even relieved my long-sinking back pain yet giving another chance to meet His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo. 

As usual, and as lively as always, HM greeted the gathering with a very humbling word "labay chu" before a Royal Speech.

His Majesty shared the vision, objectives, way forward and challenges that lie ahead of us regarding the National Service Program that would commence from 2022. National Service will be for all class twelve pass out students. It also includes all drop outs after class ten or before. However, those dropouts have to register through their respective Gewog centre once they attain 18 years of age. This NS is a compulsory program for all our youth thereafter.

The lucky first batch for this National Service are this year's all class ELEVEN students which also include unlucky dropouts. I am already overjoyed with Gyalsung program. Since, in my family my little sister (going to be eleven this year) will be serving as the first batch of this program. I am already proud of her service. I am sure she would be a goodwill ambassador not only my family members but also to the community far and wide. This National Service is a one year program that will be trained by fine professionals in five different regions; Samdrupjongkhar, Mongar, Sarpang, Sibsoo, and Wangduephodrang.

HM feel that teachers are the main goodwill ambassador to pass down the knowledge and information regarding this Royal Initiative in schools and hoping to make everything ready before 2022. It is believed that teachers are the main force, and model for whatever maybe the start, and particularly this Gyalsung program. I was touched when His Majesty said, "I have a full faith and trust in my teachers." However, HM overly stressed on this –"there is no room for complacency for a tiny nation like us, and going back to those olden days would be an absolutely foolish thing to call. Sooner than we think, technology will push everything back and the future will be great only if we become an organized society now."

Thank you, Your Majesty for having great faith in us. We promise to serve with full dedication and loyalty under your guidance and promised to walk a joyful path together all the time.

After listening to HM speech, I finally realized Freedom Fighter Nelson Mandela was never foolish to quote, "Education is the most powerful weapon which can change the world." 

Nothing should bar the way for our small society. The program will include three month of intensive military training in which our students will be learning so many disciplines like drilling and other necessary fundamentals. The crowd became profound silence when HM said, "everyone would sweat all together in the camp and learn what is necessary for them." His Majesty's also assured that the program would be lively and lifelong learning. The topics like food security, and cyber security will be challenging but a life long experience that will basically glorify them both physically and mentally. Furthermore, His Majesty also shared that, when our youth grow, they must grow to be a very mindful, most productive, and a responsible citizen. His Majesty also wants our youth to be as smart and astute as possible in a very short period of time with all the limited resources we have in our hands. NS also should produce our younger generation as "one united society" despite different religion and region. It is now or never. 

HM assured that the program would be as lively and interesting as possible.  

HM also briefly shared about what Bhutan and World around would look like within and –beyond 20 years from now, we may experience digital economy, digital bank, self driving car, no over-head power transmission line, free world wide internet service, meat grown up in the labs which would increase the life expectancy around 100 years. Someday, or very soon our hydro electric power may become obsolete over nuclear power which can be made easily available with less effort, resources, and investment. 

However, it was a nicest moment when His Majesty said he would be quickly returning back to Thimphu, via Sarpang to celebrate Gyalsey's 4th birthday. More pleasing was when His Majesty said, "he is very excited, but nervous come this March for the birth of Second Royal Child and would be taking up a fatherly responsibilities, sit nearby and accompany the Gyaltsuen to raise together His Royal Highness The Gyalsey, and Second Royal Child as best as possible."

Learning and Experience From Korea

The knowledge and experience learnt from KOICA, CIAT program during two months was substantial in numerous ways. Korea is a great country not only in terms of development, and advancement in technology, but also very mindful in preserving, and promoting the environment, and its greenery aspects. In addition education in Korea was deeply rooted in every family blood for a very long period of time, which nevertheless is apposite even in our context. In Korea the education sector gets the highest attention in terms of quality and quantity thus making the education sector one of the most expensive and important sectors. 

I have learnt diverse topics like –development history, role of education, teacher policy and lifelong education, GCED in the era of SDG implementation and gender equality. The ICT session has equipped me to become a better IT literate teacher. Nevertheless, I felt some basic ICT tools are necessary for educators like me in this era of modern society. 

The main motives of KOICA Fellowship Programme are to develop strong networking and partnership between participating countries through sharing of materials and information. It helps one's personal development through different cultural exchange programs and sharing of new educational ideas and knowledge of participants that develops social awareness, better decision-making and competency in the workplace thus making a better citizen. 

  

Understanding of Education System

The training has greatly enhanced my inner and outer belief of education. I have learnt the power of education in Korea, which I felt is very much applicable in my developing country. Unlike other countries, education in Korea is different and unique, as education is everyone's business. After reaching back to my work place, I have successfully conducted a School Based In-service Programme (SBIP) to my colleagues, and students regarding my fellowship programme. I shared with them some of the good education practices of different countries, particularly Korean schools and universities. I have also shared the overview of Lifelong Education of Korea in relation to our Non-formal Education. If education needs to succeed, human resources play a very vital role, and providing timely professional development is seen as a very important area. I have also shared the importance of good teacher policy in Korea, and discussed few policies that are applicable to our Bhutanese context like highly competitive entrance exams for teachers, social status, salary and working environment that plays a very crucial role in the life of every teacher across the globe. Therefore, a good education system comes only at the cost of understanding education policies and systems of other countries.  

      Clean Drinking water and Sanitation

One very important aspect of life is getting access to clean and safe drinking water and sanitation in public places and schools. Bhutan being a mountainous country, clean drinking water is always a high-end concern especially for young children at school. However, after my fellowship programme I have learnt that Korea has done a sufficiently great job in providing clean drinking water and good sanitation particularly for students. Therefore, I have worked with the "Save the Children" project and installed water taps at strategic places from SkyHydrant water filter, which I got from Rotary Club of Thimphu (capital of Bhutan) a few years back. I shared the importance of clean and safe drinking water on a day basis with my colleagues and students and ways to improve water management. Moreover, I have shared the good practices of schools in Korea to make my water project more sustainable and realistic. However, there are difficulties in getting resources, expertise and mindset of school children. But, I remained hopeful and optimistic. 

Bhutan has a serious sanitation problem both in school and public avenues. Around 2% of the total population still do not have a proper toilet facility, which means there is still some existence of open defecation and pit latrine culture in some parts of Bhutan (2017 PHCB, Bhutan). According to UNICEF, only 33% of the Bhutanese population have access to basic sanitation services, majorities are in the rural communities. Schools are no exception. It was also found out that one in every five schools lacks functional toilets. One-third of schools have no separate toilets for girls that would generally affect children's well being both physically and mentally.  

Therefore, I have been working closely for almost five 5 years with Bhutan Toilet Organization (BTO) basically to fix these social problems at schools. However, keeping public and school toilets isn't that easy and fast. It takes lots of positive energy and skills. Moreover, resources, expertise, mindset, attitude and cultural habits are seen as the major difficulties in our local context. Through the Fellowship Program, I have learnt the beauty of clean toilets across Korea both in public places and schools. Toilets in schools are managed so well, toilets are fantastic and impressive even in primary schools, it is a place most of the school kids love to visit, however, it is opposite in schools in Bhutan. While in Korea, as part of my project titled –Clean Toilet for Better Tomorrow, I got an opportunity to visit World Toilet Association based in Suwon City where I got lots of new knowledge and wisdom from the General Secretary and Staff Members regarding managing public and schools toilets. Taking back all the knowledge and wisdom helped me a lot in sharing information especially to my students. Back in my country, as part of my project assessment, I did an advocacy roll out program across many schools of Zhemgang District and got wonderful support from schools and students. I have shared with them the toilets in Korean schools, and their mentality. Moreover, I have oriented on the pros and cons of a clean toilet for our own health and environment. We have promised to have clean toilets by cleaning our own excrement and adopting a toilet each policy. Moreover, starting from the academic year 2020, as a part of ASPnet UNESCO Programme, I have proposed to UNESCO Netcom Office for “Clean Toilet Challenge”. Therefore in this way, I hope our toilet will become usable and friendly because I always believe in –together we can! 

       Technology in education system

The power of technology in education is immeasurable. One thing I liked very much about Korea is advances in technology and infusion of technology in everyday teaching and learning. After my fellowship program, I felt the need of technology in the classroom more often than ever. Thus, I have shared with my management team, colleagues, and students the need for more technological aspects of teaching and learning in the present era than any other tools. I started teaching more often through ICT based approach –video clips, and online tutorials, which is overly seen as the most effective methods in the present time. I have also shared teaching and learning through technology as much easier, faster and effective across all the subjects. School advocated students to use mobile phones more for academic learning after school, or during home task assignment. Since, I have shared the best practices of Korean school on technology and responsible mobile phone users, I expect in a few years time, we may become a comfortable society like Korea in using technology in the education system. I am sure we may not become like Korean, but we promised to be more comfortable with technology in classroom teaching.  

       Global Citizenship Education (GCED) in teaching chemistry

I wasn’t sure about Global Citizenship Education until I undertook this fellowship program. Moreover, it became clearer only after completing the GCED Online Campus course during my fellowship program. The online campus course has benefited me a lot to understand and to apply in everyday life the concept of GCED. After the completion of course, I realized the importance of this planet, what it takes to pollute the environment, and finally how to apply it in everyday teaching and learning. Honestly, the course had immensely widened my knowledge on GCED. Moreover, as an educator it helped me to preach and practice along with students of varied backgrounds and ambition. Therefore, I taught some applicable topic in Chemistry (Green Chemistry) to equip my students to be a future GCED ambassador, and an agent of change in society. I taught topics like –sustain healthy environment, air pollution, effects of chemical fertilizers, causes of global warming, climate change and polymers by linking GCED pedagogy. After all, we must remember that the world we live in is a world that belongs to the entire living being for eternity. 

Therefore, in this way I have developed a strong sense of learning from Korea into my local context. Topics like education system, teacher policy, lifelong education, sanitation, cultural and environment preservation of Korea had impressed me a lot. After the fellowship, it improved my abilities, skills, and expertise in the diverse education system of the world. Therefore, learning experiences during and after the fellowship program was life-long, and hopefully all these experiences may transform into wholesome development of school, management, students, and community for all times. 

Plastic Ban Pledge

Theme: Weather, Climate and Climate change education

Background

A school-based action to support the government's plastic ban. With the plastic ban reinforcement from 1st April 2019, schools across the country stand to support this green move. Although, most of the schools already have a waste management pledge and actions in place, this "No Plastic Initiative" will further instill the good values of more sustainable lifestyles in the schools.

Objectives

i.    Create awareness on climate change through plastic ban pledges
ii.   Instill the value of proper waste management
iii.  Encourage staff and students to minimize the use of plastic bottles by
      bringing their own reusable drinking cups

Target group: Whole school.

Program details:

1. Present scientific facts on effects of plastic pollution

Here we see that in 2010:

• global primary production of plastic was 270 million tonnes;
• global plastic waste was 275 million tonnes – it did exceed annual primary production through wastage of plastic from previous years.
• only plastic waste which is improperly managed (mismanaged) is at significant risk of leakage to the environment; in 2010 this amounted to 31.9 million tonnes;
• of this, 8 million tonnes – 3% of global annual plastics waste – entered the ocean.
• The amount of plastic in surface waters is not very well known: estimates range from 10,000s to 100,000s tonnes.

Source: 
plastic pollution from https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution
the plastic initiative from https://theplasticinitiative.org
plastic pollution from https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2015/02/here-s-how-much-plastic-enters-ocean-each-yearhttps://www.sciencemag.org/news/2015/02/here-s-how-much-plastic-enters-ocean-each-year
global trends plastic pollution from http://www.plastic-resource-center.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Global-Plastic-Production-RisesRecycling-Lags.pdfhttp://www.plastic-resource-center.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Global-Plastic-Production-RisesRecycling-Lags.pdf


2. Advocate the national policy on plastic ban and local practices
3. Adoption of school-based plastic ban policy
4. Take individual pledges
5. Share on Social Media. Use hashtag #supportplasticbanBhutan

Expected Outcome:

1. School adopts plastic ban policy
2. Individual actions (action on individual pledge) for fighting climate change
3. Sensible and responsible plastic users
4. Climate action Advocators

Clean Toilet Challenge

Theme: Responsible Citizenship

ASPnet School Name: Zhemgang Central School

Background
One of the biggest challenges in Bhutan are the toilets in schools and public. If we think back to our school days, I think we can all remember a time when we were afraid to visit our own toilet, and nearby toilets. School toilets can be extremely daunting particularly for young children if the toilet is dirty, and unfriendly. According to some unofficial records children have frequently reported smelly, dirty or unpleasant toilets in their home, schools, and public places. Therefore, with this activity in place, we create toilets children want to use it.

Objectives:

1. understand and realize the importance of hygiene and its impact on daily life
2. actively consult and involve the pupils in managing the toilets
3. implement and maintain an effective toilet cleaning, supervision and inspection system to ensure proper standards throughout the school day

Program details:

Target group: Whole school action

Timeline: February to mid-march 

1. Sensitization on clean toilet
2. Create a clean toilet movement in the school
3. Use hashtag #mytoiletmyresponsibility
4. Upload on Social Media platforms

Note: 
Recommend to use Harpic and Phenol to clean toilet pots. 

Process: 
1. Wet or pour water lightly around the toilet pot
2. Then spread, or sprinkle Harpic in the necessary areas 
3. Keep untouched for around 15-20 minutes
4. Start to scrub with the help of brush
5. Flush with water

Outcome:
1. Understand the importance of toilet
2. Relate clean toilet and sanitation
3. Reduce the usage of sticks, papers
4. Promote healthy toilet habits

When Onion Makes us CRY?

Agriculture is now more likely a failed policy hanging over a longer period of time now. Let us keep in mind this loose phrase –If agriculture fails, nothing will succeed. So far, no political agenda is solving this long-standing problem of ours. However, now it is likely becoming a sketchy equation to solve with an ever growing population.

Some scholars claimed that ancient hunter-gatherer societies as peaceful paradises, and argue that war and violence began only with the Agricultural Revolution, when people started to accumulate private property too much than the other.”

Over the years, the onion has become a very essential, and unavoidable ingredient in the kitchen in most cuisines. It became a very important staple food for all kinds of people. However, the current price is something very upsetting, and unkind. The price ranges from place to place Nu. 100.00 per kg to Nu.170.00 per kg across the markets which have affected large sections of society including farmers, traders, and wholesalers. The sudden uprising of the price of this kitchen item has also adversely affected especially the small business, restaurants, and street food vendors. The bitter price rise of this food item has been attributed to a decline in production in Indian farm houses which was due to unseasonal, and errant rainfall that led to an acute shortage. 

This is a very interesting phrase I came across recently – “during pre-industrial warfare more than 90 percent of war dead were killed by Starvation rather than by Weapons.” Which I feel is very close and synonymous in current situation. If this trend continues, time isn’t very far from now. 

What measures the government are taking to curb such a sudden rise in consumer goods? Should we leave up to Indian business individuals to decide everything or our livelihood? The more we depend on somebody, more they become dominant, and less we become workable, and productive.

One that keeps me worried every time is the mistake we already made. The Foreign Aid in the agriculture sector so far has not done a very promising job. I am sure the Foreign Aid that cashed in must have made few mountains. By calculation, by now we should have a fairly comfortable livelihood and productive farming society if not complete independence. What have we done so far with our Foreign Aid for agriculture?

There is not time for simplicity, and complacency, when the neighbouring friends are keep pushing hard, and unfairly hammering for their export goods. Chilli taxed us so much before, and now onions are making us cry. 

Although, almost all our lands are sloppy, and mountains, and rocks, however, we can do better than this in producing some consumer goods and other necessary items in our own soil.  

We need somebody committed, who can be with the community throughout assisting, helping, and generating some easy farming ideas in the actual field like Engineers, and technical experts in the DNC project. Instructions from the office so far have not helped by an inch at any part of society. Therefore, ideas without action aren’t ideas!