24 – 30 March Bhutan Update

Things started to get into a routine this week. I will wake up at 6 in the morning, do my stretching exercise, wash up, watch BBC news, have my breakfast and get myself ready for school. School usually ends around 4 in the evening.  I will stay back to support the basketball tournament before I come home around 5.

Once i reach home, I will prepare my next day’s lunch, bath, dinner, watch a movie, do my reflection, update myself with BBS (Bhutan) news and then I huddle myself comfortably in bed by 10 pm. The routine is mundane but I am well-rested.

I got really comfortable with Ugyen and Karma, the young couple who stayed at my block as I interacted with them more. We will walk to the school every morning and chatted about everything under the sun. It is really nice to have someone around when I need help.  At times when I did not wear my kira properly, Karma will act like my “mother” and help me to adjust my “uniform”.

The school also started a new routine this week.  There is no morning assembly for Tuesdays and Thursdays. Instead, the first lesson will start 20 minutes earlier than the usual time and the day will have 5 lessons instead of 4.  There will also be a guest speaker every Wednesday to speak to the whole school.

All the regular Saturday classes are rescheduled to the weekdays to make time for teachers to attend the Professional Development Programme. I was very touched by Mr Tshering’s determination to have teachers developed and trained for the school to move up another notch.

Dr Wang was the guest speaker for the week. He set the “bar” so high that I got a bit “apprehensive” when I learnt that I am going to be the next guest speaker. I hope I don’t disappoint the school when I deliver my speech next week.  

My first staff PD (Professional Development) session started on 29 March, with an attendance of 27 teachers. It was a session to identify the training needs of the teachers and to analyse the gap between the present and future training needs. The session went on as planned and I was glad that the teachers participated in the session enthusiastically. I was blessed to have another teacher, Mr KD Yeshey and Ms Namgay to help me during the session. Though the session was good, I still felt that the 2^nd question should have been phrased more explicitly in order to gather the correct data.

General terms like “inspiring teacher” or “great teacher” did not help in analyzing the the training gap.

Anyway, what was done cannot be undone. I will make sure I don’t make the same mistake again.

Another thing that really strike me this week is the water rationing towards the end of the week. I discovered there was no water when I came home on Saturday evening. I was not alarmed by the issue anymore because the “no water” event happened on my 2^nd day stay in Bhutan. I did what was necessary and used whatever drop of water I collected from the tap.

I did not bath that evening. I just piled my dishes aside, waiting patiently for water tank to be “refilled” the next morning.  I told myself I will buy wet tissue, 2 big bottles of water to prepare myself for “future emergencies”. I truly felt that I had lived out the scout motto this week : “Be Prepared”.

I joined Karma, Ugyen, Tanin and Kezang for the Basic Unit Leader Training Course during the weekend. It was specially organized by the Ministry of Youth and Scouts, for teachers from private schools. About 30 teachers turned up for the course. It was  really nice to touch base with the brother and sister  scouts in a foreign land, where all of us are bonded by the Scout Promise and Law. Like the saying goes : “Once a scout, always a scout.” Though I have left scouting 10 years ago, it didn’t take me long to reconnect and felt the scouting spirit rekindled in my heart again.

Mr Ugyen (HOD Dzongka) and Mr Pasang (Assistant Principal) had been very helpful in getting me in touch with the student leaders. I held my first scout meeting with the students on Saturday. It was really starting afresh for both the students and me.  I should have a total of 8 sessions with them before their exam in June. By then, Ugyen, Tanin, Kezang and Karma should be ready to lead the troop as unit leaders. I believe RHSS will grow strong, both in academic and in scouts with the team of dedicated staff.

Things can only get better for me as the days pass as I continue my Bhutan journey, be it my inner self or impact to others.

 

15 - 22 March

15 – 22 March

It had been a very busy week for me yet a very fulfilling one. As I embrace each day with a thankful heart, I find that there are so many things and people I can thank God for.

I met up with Anne, my Singaporean friend on Saturday, 15 March. The journey to her house was longer than I expected. I adopt walking as my “usual mode of transport” ever since I came to Bhutan because I know that walking allows me to see Bhutan in closer details.

Anne is a very hospitable and pleasant lady. She treated me with a sumptuous lunch cooked in “Singaporean” style.  Nothing beats catching up with Singaporean when we are away from home. Interestingly, the Bhutanese observed a no-meat month in March. So we have to be very creative in our cooking as well.

Besides catching up with Anne, I also got a chance to meet 2 American couples who were based in the school too.

The weather in Bhutan did not get warmer and drier as expected. It has been raining lately. Bhutan is not “spared” from the global climate change. Sigh…

I reported for work on 17 March. I was very excited to see the staff and the students.

All the local teachers and students are expected to wear the Bhutanese clothing, kira, when they attend school lessons or on official duty.  As a show of respect, I bought myself a set of kira too.

It took me 10 minutes to wear my kira in the morning. It was not as easy as I thought. One female teacher had to help me to wear the costume again because I got it all wrong!! I looked “pretty” though. J

I was introduced to the school during the morning assembly. The school usually starts with a standard routine of a prayer, students’ reflection and a teacher’s reflection. I learnt how to greet in Dzongkha, the Bhutanese language “Kuzuzangpo La”. The word “la” is a respect to the other person. But for the Singaporeans, it’s our slang.  Haha.

In the later part of the morning, I was told that the father of one of the Assistant Principal passed away. Some of the staff, including the proprietor and the Principal  will be attending the funeral. I took the opportunity to request to attend as well. I wanted to see how a Bhutanese funeral look like and to send my condolences to the family.

I met Dr Solomon Wang and the proprietor for the first time. The proprietor, Mrs Sonam, is a very nice lady who suggested the Punakha trip for me and the Thai teachers in my first week of stay in Bhutan. Mrs Sonam started the school in the name of her father. The school was built and established in 2002.

Dr Wang is a very chatty, well-travelled and knowledgeable educator and philanthropist. Together with his wife, Lorrie, they did a lot of good work in RHSS.

The Bhutanese uses cremation after a person dies. As many as 4 to 5 cremations can be carried out in an open space concurrently. The body of the dead will be wrapped with silk, and the mouth will be stuffed with silver, gold items before the body is brought to the monks for prayer. After a series of rituals, they will then bring  the dead body for cremation.

Compared to the cremation done in Singapore, I personally feel that the cremation in Singapore is much neater. The cremation is done in an enclosed furnace and within seconds, the body is reduced to ashes. No air pollution.

We were served with Bhutanese food before we bid goodbye to the bereaved family.

I met with the group of HODs and Mr Tshering to discuss what I can do for the staff during my 3 months stay in RHSS. Mr Tshering is eager to get the HODs to work closely with me to look into the training needs of staff.

Before this can happen, there has to be a reshuffling of timetable to “push” all the Saturday lessons to weekdays. I am very grateful that the school believes in me, believes that staff training is important, and makes time for the training sessions despite of the busy schedules.

My whole week in the school was spent on observing different teachers’ lesson. Each teacher has their own style of teaching and to each, I salute their professionalism and genuineness in wanting the students to learn.

The students are generally very respectful towards their teachers and they are very attentive. I spoke to many students and ALL of them believe in their teachers and RHSS. If I am to compare the Singapore schools and RHSS, I will say the teachers have the privilege of the full 90 minutes lesson without having to worry about class management problem.

I drafted a lesson observation sheet template and gave my feedback to the various teachers after my observation. It was an objective and professional exchange with one another. Though the classroom teaching is mainly chalk and talk, it suits the students’ learning mode very well. Teaching using technology is a bonus but not a must-have. I am careful not to put my “Singaporean’s superiority complex” into my interaction with the Bhutanese teachers because I have full respect for the teachers’ professionalism. I only hope to share and explore possibilities that can improve their teaching practices within the constraints of their available resources.

I began to enjoy the simplicity and the carefree life of the Bhutanese people. I got a chance to witness the school award ceremony on Saturday, 22 March. It is similar to Singapore school speech day where the students are recognized for their academic excellence. The only difference is that they will be receiving monetary award sponsored by Dr Solomon Wang.

It is very heartwarming to see how Dr Wang believes in education and he spurs the students in RHSS to make him “poor”.

The amount of monetary award increases with the marks attained by the students. A student may get 25 000 Nu if he/she attains a 100% in any subject. Wow!!

As he continues his speech, I begin to wonder about the sustainability of the award. It will be good to set up a “Dr Wang’s” fund where the school can start to encourage the ex-students who do well in life to contribute back to the school.

The event continued despite of the rain. The students took the chairs, shared an umbrella and sat in the open air while the ceremony continued. Though the weather was cold and wet, there was not a single complaint from any student or staff. They demonstrated the true resilience of a Bhutanese!

My highlight of the week was the welcome dinner held at the school library. I went to the venue at 6 pm, as scheduled, only to realize that the local teachers started trickling in at about 7 pm. Mr Tshering told me it’s BST (Bhutan Stretchable Time). It was really cool.

The welcome dinner was held for the 13 Thai teachers, myself and 10 new teachers who joined the school this year.  The staff really “let their hair down” that night. Dr Wang and his wife, Lorrie, and the proprietor joined in the fun as well.

With a simple tape recorder, a microphone and an amplifier, the teachers sang and danced to their heart content.  I appreciated this simplicity of Bhutanese lifestyle.  They are genuine towards people, warm and embrace their own culture.

Right at the bottom of my heart, I hope the Bhutanese will continue to keep this simplicity and not be influenced by the external influence that may come in as the country progresses and develops.

It is the serenity and the peace of the country, the simplicity and happiness of the  Bhutanese that attracts many foreign city dwellers like me to Bhutan.

And as a foreign passer-by like me,  I will not want to attempt to change or boost about my achievements in Singapore. I just want to appreciate the pace and the life-style of the locals and how they can get things done without worrying tomorrow.

 

9-14 March

9-14 March 2014
 
It had been a good week since I reached Bhutan. A very beautiful country with many  warm people around me. I was blessed with a big house, well-facilitated with kitchenware and a TV set.

My house is situated almost at the top of the hill, within walking distance from Rinchen Higher Secondary School, but not too near the town.  My initial thought of buying a bicycle for easy commute is a bad idea because I will have to pant my way up to the hill before I reach my place.
 
There are also a group of 14 Thai teachers attached to the school during this period. They are doing a 2 months English Programme with the teachers in the school. We have the opportunity to go to Punakha, a town which is 3 hours drive from Thimpu, to watch the annual Masked Dance Festival together.

The Masked Dance Festival has a special significance to the Bhutanese. It commemorates the founder who built the traditional building, Dzong. The second Dzong was built in Punakha and the locals celebrated the festival for a period of seven days. Till this day, all the official buildings are Dzong buildings.

Rinchen Higher Secondary School is situated high up the mountain. There is no more settlements beyond the school. The Principal is supported by 3 assistant principals, 6 HODs, 34 staff. The school operates on 5.5 days work week and from the school calendar, I can see the school is filled with many activities.

During the week, I learned to do things that I have often taken for granted. I learned to “tether” my phone with my computer so that I can send attachments and updates to my friends and family. I learned to wash my clothing manually since I do not have a washing machine. I learned to be creative in my cooking : how to avoid eating maggie noodle for all my meals. I learned to fix up the leaking of the pipe at the washing basin area. I learned to use we-chat to video call my mum and the list goes on.

Plastic bag is a “rare” commodity in Bhutan. Except for the vegetables and fruits, the stores use paper bags and cardboards to contain the items. They are strong advocates for environment conservation. 

The rubbish truck only came on specific day and time. Once the familiar music is played, the locals will come out of their houses to “unload” the rubbish into the truck. I have seen this being practiced by the Taiwanese as well.

To make sure I do not miss the truck, I came out of my house and waited at the main road 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Missing the truck means I will have to keep my rubbish for a few more days.  

I am glad I have settled down and will be going to school next Monday. I look forward to meeting the staff and students soon. I am glad I will be meeting Anne, another Singaporean friend working in Thimpu Primary School tomorrow.

It is indeed a blessing to be here.