Most employees want the same things: a fair and competitive salary, hikes and promotions, and proper TA/DA—all of which foster greater engagement and a sense of job satisfaction. Monetary benefits consistently top the list of what would give employees greater gratification. Provide these benefits, and one can expect a more positive culture, more engaged employees, and a more loyal and productive workforce.
The Ministry of Education has been working on developing teachers' skills and increasing their happiness. "A teacher is the heart of the school and of education," said Education Minister Norbu Wangchuk. Thanks to his vision and sound planning, teachers in Bhutan were able to attend five days of training at various centers across the country. Although the workshop timing fell during the summer break for some teachers, it was mostly scheduled at the beginning of the second semester. The workshop centers were carefully planned. To ensure teachers received entitlements such as TA/DA, they were sent a fair distance from their schools. For example, teachers from Darla MSS were sent to Phuntsholing and Chukha, while teachers from Chukha schools were sent to Gedu. This thoughtful arrangement was truly heartwarming, and many teachers were grateful. Thanks to this approach, all teachers were entitled to full benefits—something that might not have happened if the initiative had been steered by less capable hands.
It was clearly announced and published in newspapers how much budget the new Education Minister had invested in teachers. "In order to develop the capacities of teachers, Nu 116.8 million has been allocated this year, up from just around Nu 8 million last year. The ministry in 2016 will initiate new pedagogy training for around 9,000 teachers across the country" (Kuensel, "Investing to Better Teachers," June 6, 2016). We know that teachers do not typically receive benefits such as travel allowances. Providing equal TA/DA and mileage entitlements would boost the efficiency and productivity of civil servants in Bhutan, thereby benefiting the country's overall economic performance. Furthermore, this would increase the level of confidence, competence, ethics, and integrity among civil servants. In the long run, it might also indirectly reduce corruption and improve accountability. I particularly thank Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk for this good initiative—it will certainly boost teachers' morale.
During the training, we were provided with sumptuous lunches and refreshments. Given the nature of other workshops and training sessions in the country, I did not expect this to work at first. But I am confident it will.
By the end of the workshop, we felt a certain sense of satisfaction. We learned new skills and knowledge, including how to apply cooperative learning structures and active learning strategies. I will not reproduce that literature here, as we received detailed handouts.
