Global Hand Washing Day

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Three Days of Hand Washing: Because Two Just Wasn't Enough!

Coinciding with International Hand Washing Day, Darla school celebrated Hand Washing Day for three consecutive days. Not one. Not two. Three. Because when it comes to hygiene, we believe in overkill.

The school Health Committee invited the Health Assistant (HA) of Darla Gewog to say a few words on the importance of washing hands. He arrived, probably with very clean hands, and highlighted a sobering fact: a number of people die due to not cleaning their hands.

He also talked to the assembly of students and teachers, stating that the main cause of any disease is simply not being willing to wash their hands properly. Not inability. Not lack of water. Lack of will. We have the will to scroll through YouTube for three hours, but not to rub soap between our fingers for twenty seconds. 

Global Hand Washing Day underscores the importance of handwashing regularly with soap and water as one of the most effective and affordable health interventions. Affordable is the key word here. Soap costs less than a packet of instant noodles. 

Hand washing helps fight many kinds of diseases and helps us stay healthy. Clean hands from touching unwanted things. In fact, we need a clean mind so that we can have clean hands. Otherwise, you could scrub until your skin falls off, but if your mind is still rummaging through other people's belongings, are you really clean?

There are many programs for the days. Today, Class XB gave hand washing demonstrations. Twelve techniques. I didn't know there were twelve ways to wash hands. Many of us have been using one technique whole life—the "rub and hope" method—and apparently.

There is hand washing for every class. Every single class. Each class was asked to bring jerry cans and make T-P holes (tap holes) for the days—and to be kept for the entire year. We did. There are now jerry cans lined up like soldiers. Some leak. Some are too high for small children. Some may never be used again after this week. But they are there. And they are beautiful.

Here are some snapshots of what's happening now:

My class IV B students

Jerrycans with T-P holes

True Faith and Love for God

People have all kinds of ideas about religion. Some think heaven is up there, hell is down there, and God is… somewhere over the rainbow. Beliefs vary. Faith in gods fluctuates more than wondering minds.

But here's what I think: you don't need to worship idols, chant verses you don't understand,  speak eloquently, or even look good. All you need is confidence in God's power and will. Just faithfulness. That's it. Simple, right?

Sometimes God brings tragedy. Sometimes deliverance. Mostly, though, He brings confusion. And silence. And a lot of waiting around wondering.

People complain, "God punished me even though I believed!" They say, He doesn't watch every little detail of our lives.  I think He’s definitely watching. The real problem is man's magnification of himself—we just don't see our own hearts. We blame God for the mess.

God's grace is always sufficient. He's not in some distant, unknowable realm. He's in our heart. 

Now, let me tell you about my own turn of life. During my training, I had to go to a random unknown place for teaching practice. Thanks to faith (or sheer luck dressed in piety), I met my life partner there. A blessing in disguise. I asked God for a reason. The reason He gave was beyond my imagination—mostly because He didn't give one. But the point is: God gives everything, often at crossroads, with a milestone effect. I asked for a blessing. I got a wife. Fair trade. 

The basic principle of all religions is the same: Dharma—the law of the self. So I respect all religions. I hate none. Habits change, rituals differ, and some religious outfits are seriously uncomfortable. But no religion sustains forever. That's why the guiding principle—Dharma—applies to all ages. 

What the world needs today is not dogmatic beliefs. Man can live without religion. But Dharma? That's essential. Self-awakening? Even more so. If a person lives without selfishness, they can become divine—or at least tolerable at times,

We want higher consciousness. Prayer helps. The power of prayer is supreme. It leads the world. It saves us from calamities and chaos. Prayer without common sense is just wishful thinking with extra steps.

Love is the basis for prayer. Prayer expands your canvas. Religion, at its best, teaches us to become conscious, good, and compassionate humans. 

The seeds and deeds of religion are souls. Outward worship is just conceited theater when there's no inner transformation. You can fold your hands all day, but if your heart is still a mess, you're basically a beautifully wrapped box of nothing. 

Annual Concert

The twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth of September were the days when Darla School celebrated its annual concert. Preparations began almost two to three weeks in advance with lots of rehearsals—because nothing says "fun" like hearing the same Bamboo dance track 400 times. The whole school remained busy and much more active than usual, which is saying something for a place that runs on tea breaks.

Since the Darla weather becomes pleasant during this time of the year, the enjoyment increases tremendously. But unfortunately, in the evenings it rained cats and dogs. That didn’t deter people from coming to watch the show. Clearly, they had nothing better to do. The MPH was full by 6 pm.

The function began at 6 p.m. as per schedule—shockingly, on time for once. First, our cultural coordinator welcomed the Chief Guest, other guests, and the audience. He also spoke about the varieties of interesting items lining up in the program. Spoiler: most were exactly what you'd expect. The two-day variety show went on to the next day. There were Boedras, Zhungdras, Rigsars, English dances, Hindi, Nepali, Bamboo dances, fashion shows, etc.—a cultural buffet where no one could decide on a main course.

The program would have been interesting if the emcee had told a short but hilarious speech full of anecdotes in-between—which everyone would like the most. But alas, we got the usual script. Maybe next year.

The concert was conducted to inculcate wholesome education. Because nothing teaches morality like watching a fashion show in a school auditorium.

The audience must have enjoyed the concert tremendously, judging from the loud applause as the curtains dropped. Or maybe they were just relieved it was over. The Bamboo dance performed by class VI boys and girls was very beautiful. The music was loud and appeasing—sorry, pleasing. One ear at a time.

Looking at the audience response, everyone enjoyed the concert very much. I am very surprised that there were so many talented students in this school. Almost as if they'd been hiding them all year to save them for this one night.

It was a well-organized show; students, teachers, and parents admired it. Though the cost of the ticket was a bit costly. Every student had to pay Nu. 80 to watch an evening show, which is far beyond what some disadvantaged parents can afford. All of my class four students couldn’t watch the program, as they said that Nu. 80 was too much for all of their brothers and sisters to watch. I really felt sorry for them. Because nothing says "wholesome education" like pricing kids out of their own school concert. Bravo.

Teachers’ Crumb

People often summarize that every Tom, Dick, and Harry can teach. Which is hilarious, because most Toms, Dicks, and Harrys I know can barely hammer the nail correctly, let alone handle thirty restless children armed with questions. Such a statement fails to recognize what truly makes a teacher. There are those who merely go through the motions and those who truly teach. There are teachers who follow only their lesson plans and those who plan their lessons for meaningful teaching—and then there are those who lose their lesson plans entirely and fake it till recess.

Sometimes, educationists themselves unfairly stereotype their own colleagues. For example, some of my previous heads—who otherwise could have been inspiring—have made obscure remarks like, "Anyone can teach." Such comments make teachers feel unsteady and morally disheartened. A good teacher who wholeheartedly teaches effectively in the classroom, using a variety of instructional materials and teaching approaches, and who strives to change each student's life for the better, is categorized alongside those who do not even attend their classes. Yes, because showing up and changing lives is clearly the same as not showing up at all.

I believe this leads to unrefined, unpolished, and raw teaching. The entire process becomes casual, and in the end, the teacher loses his or her good rapport with students, the school, and the community. Also their will to live, but that's another paragraph.

In Bhutanese culture and traditions, and according to our religious perspectives, teachers were always held in high esteem. They were looked upon as moral guides and as geniuses by society. This reverence, however, had an adverse effect on the quality of education. Wait, let me read that again—too much respect was the problem? That's like saying too much cake ruined my diet. This reverence has now disappeared. Some see this as an outcome of development and changing times. The credit goes to individual achievement, and we forget who shaped and molded our lives. We must respect a person for what they do, not for what they have. The nation sometimes never asks who is behind the shaping and building of its citizens. It’s the person who spent their Sunday evening grading your grammar.

I would therefore argue, briefly but firmly, that teachers should have space—good space. Not the cramped, dusty corner near the supply closet. Real space. They are the ones who clean the muddy channels and drain them to create a good space for every individual. Which is poetic, but also—have you seen a staff room?

Teachers must be uplifted and preferred, for they are never relieved of their responsibilities, even during vacations. Besides daily lesson plans and eight hours of teaching, there are paper corrections, assessments, and numerous activities lined up: sports, cultural events, SUPW, literary events, and so on. The list goes on. Teachers are parents, guides, exemplars, and more. They must remain in formal dress and maintain discipline throughout their lives. It is more work, less reward. Ideally, exclusive teaching should be a teacher's only job. Currently, it's teaching, counseling, parenting, mediating, first-aiding, and occasionally finding a lost shoe.

A teacher is seen as a silent and very small entity in the kingdom of various jobs. Gradually, the idea that "everyone can teach" is shockingly accepted as unquestionably true and legitimate by many people. Which is odd, because the same people panic at the thought of explaining fractions to a nine-year-old. If we look at ourselves judiciously, the teacher is on exhibition, observed daily by thousands of curious, imitating eyes called students. No pressure. Teachers, therefore, must have great personalities. They are paragons, like our great leaders. Also like our great leaders, they are expected to smile while being exhausted.

The school is a microcosm of society, and teachers are the spirit within it. They are governed by a strong adherence to a code of conduct and ethics. And coffee. Mostly coffee.

Besides imparting knowledge and information, a teacher makes the world a better place to live in. A good teacher is a philosopher who understands life and provides leadership in society. Also knows where the extra chalk is hidden. Do not underestimate this power.

A teacher is a master of teaching and, at the same time, possesses fundamental knowledge of all subjects. John Adams said, "The verb 'to teach' governs two accusatives—the subject and the pupils." John clearly never had to teach on a Friday afternoon before a holiday.

Teaching demands high intelligence and intellectual curiosity. A teacher should reason, tackle problems, and solve them successfully. For example: how to get thirty children to sit still after lunch. Still unsolved.

For these reasons, a teacher should be fluent in expression and also good in writing. A teacher is always enthusiastic in three ways: in child study, in their subject, and in matters of method—because they live with these every day. Also enthusiastic about the final bell. Very enthusiastic.

Teaching is a deliberate, intentional act requiring strong professional and personal qualities. Does a teacher receive professional enhancement from time to time? Not often. A teacher supplements the role of parents at school. A teacher's influence lasts eternally, and their effects are always constructive, bringing about social change—and occasionally, a decent exam result.

In short, a teacher advises, guides, and teaches. A teacher is the most useful tool in their social life—trustworthy, qualified, hardworking, intelligent, cooperative, disciplined, and helpful to the school's students, administration, and society as a whole. Also underpaid, overworked, and somehow still expected to be cheerful about it. But sure. Anyone can teach.