22 March 2012

The Best School in Bhutan

After the declaration of Board Exam results, it's interesting to see and hear how people make bold judgement on schools. Which school is the best in 2011? There is yet no official research done on this though, but Bhutanese society must have already declare their result by now. And I am not even curious to know the result because I know the foolishness with which the result is drawn. Even the official declaration of "Top Ten Schools" last year amused me, because even they thought it wise to judge schools by their academic results.
Bajothang in Summer
My school is one among the few schools decorated with ill reputation by the public, and therefore they want to take away their good performing children to schools with good reputation. This is an annual trend and many of our academic toppers leave for "better" schools. They don't stop for a while to reflect on which school made them who they are, not even their parents. Their ticket to "better" schools are confirmed because they are going with outstanding marks, and therefore keeping up the reputation of that school.
But here we begin again with new set of students, and the best part of my school is that we don't look at their past- their character certificate and mark sheets. If we are so hungry about reputation we would just take in students with good marks and stainless character certificate but we are not.
Not every child is born with intelligence, not every child is born talented but if a school wants the intelligent and talented students where would the less gifted majority go? Children are young and innocent and aimless, therefore they can be naughty, aggressive, violent and mannerless but they have the right to education, they have the right to grow and correct themselves. If a school denies them admission, where would they get time to fine their way in life?
My school takes in just everybody because it's the school's moral responsibility to educate every child- not just every good child. It's not about building and keeping reputation of a school, it's about children's right to education. And in keeping with this national interest we land up having disciplinary problems, and sometimes poor academic result. And that's how we get our ill reputation by doing good. Should we mind?
School is just an open stage, students themselves are the magicians. And my school is a stage where all magicians are given equal space and time- often some magics are different but magic is a magic after all, god made it that way, and we have learnt to accept that.
Going by the result my school is not the best school in 2011, but going by what I know of my school it is the best school and I am proud.

12 comments:

  1. Hi Passu
    I have an off-topic question, although also related to education in Bhutan. What is the official form of English that is taught/used in Bhutan?

    I've always believed that because of India's influence, British English must be the official form. Kuensel and BBS both use the Queen's English. However, I've seen many online discussion from Bhutan that uses the American form. Business Bhutan editorials seems to use American English consistently. The inconsistency between media outlets is very strange.

    Since you teach and also write, can you shed some light? Thanks!

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  2. Hi Passu
    I have an off-topic question, although also related to education in Bhutan. What is the official form of English that is taught/used in Bhutan?

    I've always believed that because of India's influence, British English must be the official form. Kuensel and BBS both use the Queen's English. However, I've seen many online discussion from Bhutan that uses the American form. Business Bhutan editorials seems to use American English consistently. The inconsistency between media outlets is very strange.

    Since you teach and also write, can you shed some light? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bhutan hasn't officially declared which English to use as far as I know. But our stress is more on Queen's English. Our English teachers would encourage us to use British English and avoid American.
    When it comes to inconsistency in different Media houses, I tell you, it depends on the individual writers and their educational background. Those graduates from America will find it hard to switch back-or may be they don't want switch at all. Therefore, if we pay attention we could find the inconsistency even among writers of same paper.
    If you narrow down the language, majority of us use Dzonglish, far from the two types of English you are talking about.

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  4. Yes, bajo has been one such schools in bhutan who accepts the admission of students to give them an opportunity for the students to continue their studies. Regarding the result, I too believe that it is not only the duty of school and teachers alone to produce the best result, but each student have to try materialize the opportunity the school have given them and repay back in the form of performances. I still cherish the values my school Bajo ushered in me. So She is the best for me.

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    Replies
    1. It's the mutual faith between the students and the school that shall take the bigger cause forward, beyond selfishness. And you are a very good example of what Bajo could do if there is will in the child. For that matter any school...

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  5. It was really interesting in knowing about the admissions of students in Bajo regardless of their marks and past characters.

    This is partially because I talked with my father last week and I was surprised when I heard that Drukgyel school in Paro does not accept students from other schools. I know, "Different Schools, Different Rules" and I am one of the students from there. How true, with time, everything is changing!

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    1. "reputation" comes at a cost, cost that fails the cause! Thanks for the comment!

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  6. I work at a school where there are kids who have so many difficulties. Bad parents, learning disabilities, behavior problems, etc. These are the kids who need dedicated, compassionate teachers most. I think it's easy to teach in a school with nothing but excellent students. They will learn, no matter who teaches them. They have drive, curiosity, a supportive family. The kidsI (we!) work with don't They need adults to help and support them or they will be lost. In America it usually means a route to one of our many overcrowded jails for not fitting in.....I'm proud to work at a low ranked school, too.
    Brian

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    1. Thanks Brian for making my point stronger with your perceptive. I am as proud as you, and I am only looking forward to working stronger and longer.

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  7. yes thats the same thing happening here in Sarpang, academic toppers are engrossed to some Private school by making 10-40% discount in their fee like someone buying some commercial product from market.Last year there were about 35 students in our class but this year there are 26 in my class. I think corruption is begining in our Country...

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    1. NFS, there is no corruption in doing that. From where I am looking I only see foolishness. Your class is lucky to have gotten rid of those ungrateful students. There never deserved to be in your class with that sort of attitude....

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