Transformative Pedagogy -- 2016

Most employees want the same things: a fair and competitive salary, hikes and promotions, and normal TA/DA, to foster greater employee engagement and a sense of satisfaction in jobs.

Monetary benefits consistently top the list of what employees would give them greater gratification. Provide these benefits, and one could see a more positive culture, more engaged employees, and a more loyal and productive workforce.

The education ministry has been working on developing the skills of teachers and increasing their happiness. “A teacher is the heart of school and education,” education minister Norbu Wangchuk said. With his vision and a good plan, teachers in Bhutan got to attain the training for five days in the various centers in Bhutan.  Though the time of the workshop is (for some teachers) was during their summer break, it was mostly at the beginning of the second semester of the year. The centers for workshops were properly planned, to get entitlement or TA DA, teachers were sent a little far away from their school. For example, teachers of Darla MSS were sent to Phuntsholing and Chukha and likewise, Chukha schools were sent to Gedu. It was truly heartwarming to have arranged in that way, and many teachers were thankful for it. For that, all teachers were entitled to all kinds of benefits. If not, it could be otherwise, if it was to be steered by bad hands.

It was clearly announced and published in the newspapers how much budget that our new education minister had invested for teachers. “In order to develop the capacities of teachers, Nu 116.8 million (M) has been allocated this year from just around Nu 8M last year. The ministry in 2016 will initiate a new pedagogy training for around 9,000 teachers across the country.” (Kuensel, Investing to better teachers, June 6, 2016). We know teachers don’t get any benefits like traveling allowances. Entitlement of equal TA/DA and Mileage will boost the efficiency and productivity of the civil servants in Bhutan, thereby the overall performance of the country’s economy will be benefited. Further, this will also increase the level of confidence, competence, ethics and integrity across civil servants. Moreover, this might indirectly decrease the level of corruption and improve the accountability of the civil servants in the long run. I particularly thank Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuck for his good initiative and it will definitely boost teachers.

During the pieces of training, we were given sumptuous lunch and refreshments. Looking at the nature of all the other workshops or training in the country I didn't expect this to work in the beginning. But I assure it will work.

But by the end of the workshop, we felt a certain sense of satisfaction. We learned some new skills and knowledge. We learned how to apply cooperative learning structures and active learning strategies. And I don’t want to write that literature here as we got our detailed handouts.

Keeping the young safe from alcohol

My article published in kuensel. Check this link: http://www.kuenselonline.com/keeping-the-young-safe-from-alcohol/

Alcohol is one of the most used and misused drugs known to men. It has now become a major social issue in many countries. It is as though alcohol is strangling societies gradually.

Alcohol has disastrous effects on consumer’s health, career and family.

In Bhutan, the reason alcohol is misused is because it is widely accepted in society. People drink to be sociable. Many restaurants and shops offer alcohol. Bars and pubs are everywhere. Alcohol is usually included at celebrations or family and social gatherings. For example, we cannot do away with alcohol items during any kind of rimdro.

Bhutanese pick up drinking habits early on. And as they grow, the habit becomes stronger and often difficult to tackle. Children copy their parents and elders and drink openly. By and by, casual drinkers become serious alcoholics. They become helplessly dependent. Alcohol then becomes a friend indeed. One needs it in times of sadness and sorrow, in times of happiness and jubilation. Alcohol is a vital element during celebrations.

But the cost of consuming too much alcohol is huge, both on the person who consumes and on the state. In Bhutan, where health services are free, it is a heavy burden on the government coffer.

Alcohol is already the major killer in the country. How we can wean away habitual drinkers from alcohol is the major challenge facing the country today.

Besides damaging the liver, alcohol affects the brain, heart, kidneys, and digestive system. It is also a leading cause of cancer. To reduce deaths related to alcohol consumption and to minimize the burden on the country’s health system, therefore, there is a serious need to come up with innovative and effective ways to address alcoholism and social acceptance. It is a challenge to teach moderation. How successfully do we do that?

Consuming a moderate amount of alcohol is indeed good. It helps bring your HDL level up, which helps protects your heart against diseases. It can also lower the risk of developing diabetes by increasing your insulin sensitivity. It can also raise ‘good cholesterol levels. Our problem, though, is that we do not know how to consume. Perhaps, we should start from here, with strong education and advocacy.

Bhutan has tried various methods to address the problem of excessive consumption of alcohol. What is important is that ways and means ought to be practical and true to the purpose. Banning alcohol imports did not help. It never will help. Raising alcohol prices won’t help. In fact, this could have a more detrimental effect on society, considering that habitual drinkers will anyway find a way to drink.

But the real problem is when young people increasingly take to alcohol. This could, in the long run, have serious implications for the health and economy of the country. It is because of this that we need to address this growing societal problem urgently. It is not the responsibility of one ministry alone to wean our young people away from alcohol. As citizens, there is an urgent need to put in concerted effort to educate our people about the harmful effect of excessive consumption of alcohol. Our methods need to change. We need to adopt innovative and effective measures.

As a result of alcohol abuse, children and family members often have to grapple with domestic issues. This leads to a series of problems in the lives of many people. Alcohol consumption and depression is today the leading cause of suicide. What is alarming is that the issue of alcoholism is growing in the urban centers rather than in the rural pockets of the country where it is traditionally accepted. That’s why, to put it mildly, urban families are increasingly becoming fragmented, affecting everyone in society.

It is no more surprising to find youth drinking in bars, throwing invective words. This is a worrying sign of failure. Who do we blame when a child goes off the way? What do we say when parents themselves are alcoholics and do not care about the future of their children? Do we blame education, or do we hold bar owners responsible?

Schools and teachers have played their part. They can only do so much. The blame lies entirely with parents. Bring up your children responsibly. Real education begins from here.