Education has to be inclusive, wholesome and above all, it must help to develop skills that provide individuals with the needed competency to live their lives productively, meaningfully and fully. Furthermore, the tertiary education must bring about significant refinement and excellence in character, civic sense and sensitivity towards the other fellow beings. Such positive attributes must be reflected in his/her day to day conduct and interactions with his/her own family members, friends, seniors and the society at large. In the Bhutanese context, beyond the above expectations, the educated citizens must intelligently be able to appreciate and understand the importance of their national identity and culture and serve in their own best ways - the King, Country and its People.
Bhutan is aspiring for universal primary education by 2013 which is just a year away. It is with pride that some of the districts have declared this achievements already. There are pressures built on concerned officials to achieve the same in many other districts. Given the trend, we can expect similar declaration from all 20 districts by the deadline if not before.
However, it is important to understand what we are talking about! Is it that every kid at least gets enrolled irrespective of what happens to some of them after few weeks or months or years of enrollment? Are we also looking for measures to retain students to complete the schooling? If this is achieved, what about the quality? In the name of achieving universal education, are schools not under pressure to pass students through the schools? What about the aspirations of thse school drop outs and poor school graduates? Above all, do we have enough inter-sectoral discourses and the policies and support in place to address the sustainability of farming in view of these school graduates seeking jobs in the urban areas or simply refusing to dirty their hands in the field?
A lot of soul searching is necessary before it is too late!!
Bhutan is aspiring for universal primary education by 2013 which is just a year away. It is with pride that some of the districts have declared this achievements already. There are pressures built on concerned officials to achieve the same in many other districts. Given the trend, we can expect similar declaration from all 20 districts by the deadline if not before.
However, it is important to understand what we are talking about! Is it that every kid at least gets enrolled irrespective of what happens to some of them after few weeks or months or years of enrollment? Are we also looking for measures to retain students to complete the schooling? If this is achieved, what about the quality? In the name of achieving universal education, are schools not under pressure to pass students through the schools? What about the aspirations of thse school drop outs and poor school graduates? Above all, do we have enough inter-sectoral discourses and the policies and support in place to address the sustainability of farming in view of these school graduates seeking jobs in the urban areas or simply refusing to dirty their hands in the field?
A lot of soul searching is necessary before it is too late!!
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