(Presented in the First Conference of the Dean of Academic Affairs in August 2013, Sherubtse College, RUB)
Dr Shivaraj Bhattarai,
Dean, RTC
Abstract:
This paper is largely based on
personal observations and experience and also to some extent on few primary and
secondary data available at the college. The data are drawn from a large
numbers of feedback collected every semester from the faculty, staff and the
students of the college. The academic results, the student database as well as
some recent interviews of the students also form the basis of some of the
conclusions drawn.
Comparing to a decade past one
major change seen in the population of the students in higher education is the
mean age. Generally the mean age of college going students has come down to
about 19 years or lower now compared to above 21 in the nineties. This is
because students go to school at least by six, if not earlier, nowadays.
Further, with the emphasis for compulsory school education for all, the pass
percentage at schools has gone up very significantly and the survival rate is
as high as 85% (Statistical Year Book, MoE, 2012) pushing students much quicker
through the ladder of education. In addition, with the realization of the
importance of higher education among the Bhutanese populace, parents are
pushing their children through the higher education crowding limited
institutions to the brink.
On the other hand, youth are
growing amidst confusions created by unprecedented advancement in technology,
material growth and comforts that is brought home very easily. In general, the young students are subjected
to a great deal of distractions today that is taking away their attention from
the classrooms and impeding academic excellence. A large number of students at
RTC come from financially sound families which bring in complacency and
non-motivation for hard work. Many are ignorant of or are indifferent to the
emerging cut-throat competitions in the job market.
Exceptionally there are
in-service students who are much older and this small percentage in RTC (about
6% of the total) have a different story compared to the majority. Their
motivation in higher education is mostly driven by societal pressure and their
inner thirst for university degrees. For some it is the higher perks and
opportunities that come only with university degree. The above two categories
of students make an interesting and at times contrasting comparisons in
understanding the cause and challenges of motivations. Clearly it is important
for all the stakeholders, i.e., the parents/guardians, educationists (both
administrative and teaching), and the policy makers to understand the plight of
the youth today, and engage with them more closely and intimately to motivate
them and promote effective learning.
