Teacher issue in the quality of education
There cannot be greater issue than the teacher issue in taking
the quality of education in the required direction.
There is not, as is commonly believed, a best and unique way
or path for the development and improvement of Bhutanese education.
Bone-breaking researches and consensus are reached on what
actually impact on the quality of education.
The quality of education is tempered or moved by the
movements in the educational stakeholders.
Education policies as we look into any document, is always
underpinned, whether explicitely or implicitly, by philosophies of education
and derive much of their meaning from the philosophical positions. Philosophies
of education can be best understood when it is analyzed in a broad context of societal
evolution and history.
Education System has gained great distance in putting the
philosophies of education into the practice. Current education system is doing
well if we judge its performance with regard to the philosophical evolution.
Thanks should be given to the great reformists. They have brought education
this far through the inculcation of approaches such as, the Philosopher
Approach and the Stream Approach.
Then, there on the way popped up the educational dilemmas.
The current educational dilemmas can be put into five issues as presented by
Mounier (2010).
1.
The issue of the child
2.
The issue of the teacher
3.
The issue of the knowledge
4.
The issue of the equality
5.
The issue of the state’s role in educational
matters.
These issues can be answered to some extent through the proper
practice of the educational theories springing from the education philosophies.
Educationists have also progressed further down the line by bringing the
current educational dilemmas in to focus and developing ways to solve them.
Out of five issues,
the real issue to consider at this stage is the second one.
The issue of the teacher.
Teaching? and gone begging????
A time for real reflection on the ministry of education….Why don’t graduates
opt teaching???
a. The pay, which is the basic
necessity, is low, very low compared to other civil servants who earn more than
their monthly salary in terms of TA/DA.
b. Teachers’ reputation need
to be restored. Teachers in the most developed countries with the best education
system in the world are the cream of the crop. In South Korea and Finland, for
example, the one with the highest marks are sent for teacher training. Teachers
are synonymous with doctors and lawyers. In our case, teachers are unmotivated
people. They will actually spoil the entire generation.
c. The principals need to be
taught to deal humanly with the teachers. Some principals are way too burden
for the entire staff, and it unnecessarily pollutes the environment because of
one person. I’d prefer an army of sheep led by a lion than an army of lion led
by a sheep.
d. Teachers need to be
supported at any cost. These days, even if the teachers are threatened by the
students or parents, there seem to be no support or say on the ministry’s part.
It’s just a GNH country and the so called learner centered, child friendly that
should be promoted. And because of these the students should be protected at
all times. This is completely misleading our youth. They are aware of their
‘freedom’ but often forget that freedom comes with ‘responsibility’.
e. The recent promotion scheme
has also demotivated the teachers through out the nation. Teachers aren’t
priviledged like other office goers. They are teachers but have to become a
carer, a disciplinarian, a security guard, a cashier, a statistician, a dancer,
a joker, a humourist, and what not. Ask any teacher and they’ll agree with me.
The promotion term of 4 years is also increased to 5 years. Will the graduates
wanting the teaching profession be pleased with it???
f. In the Scandinavian
countries where the education systems are the best, the teachers who become
mothers are allowed to stay home to nurture the child, which will become the
future generation, with full pay, but in the Bhutanese context, the teaching
allowance of few thousands is also confiscated. I believe such is the time when
the mother needs to be supported morally as well as financially. She has a new
member in the family to support.
g. When it comes to the
curriculum revision or revamping, teachers are seldom contacted. The designers
often forget it is the teachers who will implement who matter how best the
black on white will be. It is the urge that comes from within how the content
will be delivered.
MAKING long talk short,
teachers need to be motivated. And human motivation and self actualization
comes only when the basic needs are fulfilled. I’ll leave it to the ministry to
decide what those ‘basic human needs’ are, since teachers are also human.
This is not a complaint
against the Ministry which is doing a great job, but just a professional
reflection, which could improve what we have.
The issue is clear. In an approved reply to the post,
Genkhubami, in the same platform said: ”Ya
well researched and written.”
Guest User of the forum, Dendup
said:
Absoutely
correct and well said and its practical too. Even stds. theses days seem
cynical abt the teaching profession. It's tedious job n they say they would
never join this profession. I can't deny the fact and I advise them not to join
this profession. Indeed a noble profession????
Preula, said this:
I am a teacher and have served 20 years by 1st
August 2012. It's nice to read the professional reflection as it spells genuine
information. The line which states, "the principals need to be taught to
deal humanly with the teachers" seems little personal. Do not generalise
and put all people in same category. At times I feel that our teachers also need
to be human. Let's not blame the people holding the handle of same umbrella. No
personal grudge but sharing my thoughts.
Lorung said:
Hey
author,
Good! Good! Nicely said.It is the right situation facing by the
teaching professionals. Some thing special has to be done to retain our
teachers. Otherwise the future of Bhutan will be…..am not sure what to
say………anyone can analize la….
So concern authority please…please….look into the matter before it
is tooooooooooo late…PLEASE….
Peewee, further added light on the status of the teachers.
genkhubami,
well thought and well written! hope the MoE looks into this. if the country
needs productive citizens, education and teachers need to be a priority. if the
government had spent more money and more time on education policy and
management, we wouldn't be facing youth problems now. how can disgruntled and
unmotivated teachers teach well and produce better citizens? and the principals
in the schools need to be screened well during their selections. these
principals need to be 'leaders' not 'bosses.' they need to be able to inspire
the teachers not demotivate them. they need to be broad-minded and capable not
dictate their own ideas and smother the teachers. they need to be a role model
not someone who would misuse their authority. they need to be an 'instructional
leaders' not just an administrators.
when one good leader can move a country, think what one good
leader can do in a school.
may justice prevail in Bhutan!
Borangkota, a
member of the forum:
teachers i knew they have to be multi-talented.club
activities,games n sports beside teachings.we dont learn and get trained during
training.its hectic because by the time seventh and eight period is over u r
tired.but must carry out those activities.so i think thats the reason for not
joining teachers.the other reason could be status as to where teachers are
placed by society,weakness of ministry to help teachers cope up with our own
country's rules n regu.so n so…ummmm let hear from others
It is time for the ministry to take good actions with regard
to this issue.
Teachers are very humble. Teachers live by examples.
Teachers live the simplest life.
Teachers are perhaps the most shadowed servant.
Teachers handle multiple issues. They handle schools issues
and home issues.
Handling school issues is easy as it does not take money. Handling
home issues is the most difficult issue as it demands money.
Teachers do have families. Families do have desires. Desires
do require health and wealth and respect. A good health, wealth and respect do
require good steps taken by the ministry.
Anyone can check the bank balance of a teacher and cross
compare with other servant and find out what actually is happening with the teachers’
future. The future of the teachers’ sons and daughters are bleak. Their
children’s future direction is already reflected in the bank credit sheet. This
I think leads to the misunderstanding within the family. I have this issue in
my family. One in hundred teachers may not have a financial issue taking family’s
issues to the messed up fights.
Teachers’ voices are rarely raised. Once raised means there
is a need to raise.
I truly hope that the teacher issue get top priority in the the next ministerial meeting agenda!
