My Idea of Education

What I am today is the product of education which I got not from the school but from my family, relatives, friends and teachers. I do not remember what I studied in the school but the values and the abilities I have is the outcome of my good education. Though I might not have got a good content knowledge but I am proud that I have a good education. As stated by Albert Einstein, “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school”, the real goal of education is not necessarily the mastery of the subject matter, but mastery of one’s person. The aim of education should be to develop a life-long love for learning.

The love and care I got motivated me to learn everything with interest and understanding. I might not remember the exact words, the poems and the stories taught but the impact of the moral has turned me to be loving human being. These values have encouraged me and I have come up with my own principles of life among which helping the needy is prior to all.

As Montagu brings out the point “we don’t understand that we need to grow up into children and not adult”, I feel he is very true. The amazing qualities of the children are to be preserved by all.  Children are capable of learning anything, what they need is just the appropriate environmental condition. They are always curious and wonder of anything that happens in the world. We should give them enough love and support for their interest to learn. Every man is born great, only that they do not retain their greatness when they grow big. An adult resists the kid in him and eventually kills it, the most perfect gift of nature, so that he might fit well in the system of his so-called civilized society. Rather we should always be like children and preserving the traits.

During my apprenticeship I had a student who was looked down by the school, society and even her own family. Digging her history, I found that she was once the topper of the class. Some unfavorable circumstance made everyone look down upon her hence her self-respect was diminished, hampering even her academic performances. I was friendly with all my students sharing love and care for them and I used this to drive them forward and inspired them to become the best they can be. I think this behavior of mine made her comfortable and one day she asked me if she can call me brother. Thinking to change her life, I tried my best to be a good brother, and still in the process, counseling and helping her out of this circumstance. I make calls and ask about her to her present teachers and found a vast change in her. Every child has an individual difference which we as a teacher should identify and help them to be a loving human being.

“A child educated only at school is an uneducated child”~George Santayana

THE ADVENT OF MODERN EDUCATION IN BHUTAN

The origin of modern education may be traced to the advent of First World War. In 1914, when the world was embroiled in the 1st World War, 46 boys from Bhutan were enrolled in Dr. Graham’s Homes, a Scottish mission school in Kalimpong.

The foundation of education based on western model of schooling using western language as the medium of instruction began in the same year when Gongzin Ugyen Dorji was asked by the Royal Government of Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuk to establish a school.Bhutan’s first school was inaugurated in Haa the same year with teachers from the Church of Scotland mission. In 1915 another school was started at the King’s palace in Bumthang. By 1919-20, there were 21 students studying in Bumthang and 28 in Haa.

Western Education (source http://www.bhutan2008.bt/en/node/200)

Four students from the Scottish mission school reached the Indian University entrance standard by 1920. GongsaUgyenWangchuck also requested the British to assist Bhutan in providing education and training in India and in the field of primary and higher secondary education. Thus, between 1924 and 1929, a few selected Bhutanese who had passed the matriculation examination were imparted training in different institutions in India among whom two of them were trained as teachers at the Training School at Bhagalpur and many others were offered for doctors, veterinary doctors ,in weaving, tanning, mining, engineering and forestry. Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck wanted these students to be trained in different technical fields after their matriculation so that their services could be utilized for initiating economic development in Bhutan.

Though the Western-style education was introduced to Bhutan during the reign of UgyenWangchuck (1907-26). Until the 1950s, the only formal education available to Bhutanese students, except for private schools in Ha and Bumthang, was through Buddhist monasteries. Education gained momentum from 1950s when several private secular schools were established without government support, and several others were established in major district towns with government backing. The introduction of modern education toward the end of the 1950s opened a new chapter in the history of learning and scholarship in Bhutan. Although there is no denying that improvements were also made in other facets of living such as health, agriculture, communication, trade, transport, governance, etc., progressive changes in education were far more dramatic and far reaching. Educational means, including the number of academic institutions, teachers, students and the rate of literacy have increased since 1959 by leaps and bounds, affecting all sections of society. By the late 1950s, there were twenty-nine government and thirty private primary schools, but only about 2,500 children were enrolled. Secondary education was available only in India. Eventually, the private schools were taken under government supervision to raise the quality of education provided. Although some primary schools in remote areas had to be closed because of low attendance, the most significant modern developments in education came during the period of the First Development Plan (1961-66), when some 108 schools were operating and 15,000 students were enrolled.

This rapid development in modern education has brought about unprecedented changes in the social, cultural, political and economic structures, and has in particular revolutionized the education system.

Modern education is generally aimed at humandevelopment and improving living conditions in this world. Veryoften, it is for the purpose of obtaining happiness and material comfortfor oneself.

The purpose of education at that time was that Bhutanese people would:

1.      Become literate and knowledgeable.

2.      Acquire skills to use technology through literacy.

3.      Increase productivity and then their income.

4.      Imprve living standards.

5.      Easily communicate with people of other lands.

6.      Participate effectively in development programmes in the country, and

7.      Safeguard the sovereign, independent status and the unique identity of the nation.


 

Questions

1.     Why were the private schools taken under government supervision during the late 1980’s?

2.     Describe in your own understanding about the modern education.

3.     Write a short note on the advent of modern education in your own words.

4.     What were some of the purpose of education in our country in 1960s?

5.     What is the difference between the western education and the modern education?

6.     “ By the middle of 1970s, the so called third wave of civilization was already rolling in, bringing with it the microchip technology”

What could be the challenges posed by the third wave of civilization to the education system?

 

Volunteerism

     A volunteer is a person who can see what others cannot see; who can feel what most do not feel. Often, such gifted persons do not think of themselves as volunteers, but as citizens - citizens in the fullest sense; partners in civilization.- George H. W. Bush

 

Some people describes volunteerism as “helping people in need” which is actually a very narrow and limited.  It is a lot more. It is not only helping people in need but also educating and leading the people for better world. One can volunteer in many ways. There are many different reasons for you to start volunteering:  

• To help others
• To learn about an activity or organization that interests you
• To beat boredom (if you find yourself sitting around the house feeling totally bored, volunteering in an activity you enjoy can be a great way to change things)
• To gain perspective on life (there is no better way to understand your blessings than to help people in need)

However. the essence of volunteerism should come from the heart. No one can be forced to be a volunteer. A volunteer is the person who is willing to do something from the bottom of his heart. 

Volunteerism is the best service you can ever give to the nation.  In volunteering, you do not only give but also get a lot. Through my experience  I have learned that giving your services for free gives you a good return on your investment, may not be financially but morally. It supplements your personal integrity. Volunteering in particular may also enhance:

• Your ‘Personal’ life aspect, by teaching you skills you wouldn’t normally learn. These newfound skills may even help out in your ‘career’ life aspect.
• Your ‘Friendship’ life aspect, by introducing you to people with common interests and motivations.
• Your ‘Recreation’ life aspect, if your volunteer activities become like a ‘hobby’ to you.
• Your ‘Spiritual’ life aspect, by giving you the opportunity to think about what really matters.
• Depending on the volunteer activity, you may even improve your level of fitness or health!

 Everyone can do something. YOU can do something. If you don’t have the time, DONATE. If you can’t afford to donate money, VOLUNTEER and offer your time or services.
Whether you donate your time or money, it is all valuable to those that receive the benefit. 

        "Volunteers aren't paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless."

 

HAPPY TEACHERS DAY

The most beautiful day in the life of a teacher is "The Teacher's Day". In Bhutan we celebrate  the Teacher's Day on 2nd May coinciding with the Birth Anniversary of our 3rd King, Druk Gyalpo  Jigme Dorji Wangchuk- The father of Modern Bhutan.On this day, the schools, institutes and colleges around the country celebrates the day with utmost joy. 
When i was a student, this was a time when i had great fun wishing my favorite teachers. I still remember one of my favorite teacher who said, she do not aspect any expensive gifts or bought cards with just the name written in it. So, i made a paper card and wrote a big "Thank You for Being my Teacher". I still do remember her and she is the true inspiration in my life.
Now, I am a teacher in becoming. I did eight months of Apprenticeship and six months of Teaching Practice in two schools. I came across all types of students- naughty, good, bright, dull, thin, fat, etc. and came across many good and bad situation. However be the students, i loved them all. I teach them subject, the teach me the lesson of life, they teach me to value each individual, the teach me that every individual makes a difference in others life.
The Teacher's Day makes me full of emotions with lots of wishes and remembrance from my students. On this day, i realize how lucky i am to have chosen the teaching profession. It makes me feel satisfied of my life.This is the day where i can, not only remember my teachers but also remember my students( my little teachers).

HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY