Student extra-curricular activities, social media use, political party manifesto suggestions, bad roads and youth issues

More than academic excellence On August 18, Bhutan U15 girls’ team made us proud. The kind of interest and potential shown by the players showed that Bhutan could do more. National player Chencho Gyeltshen made stunning statements with his skills. Two Bhutanese breakers also took part in the Youth Olympic Games last year. Music, sports, and other co-curricular activities are a small part of the education system in Bhutan. Unlike Bhutan, classes in ballet, playing musical instruments, and sports are some of the basic lessons available in the education system of other countries. The education system in the country is criticized as one of the reasons for increasing unemployment in the county. While the teachers engage to improve the class’s performance for better academic results, attention to other co-curricular activities diminishes. Although academic performance play an important role in one’s […]

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Rehab centers, building rules, drainage systems, loan collateral valuation and traffic police criticism

We need more rehab homes We find that the cases of drug abuse and trafficking are showing no signs of abating. Every other day, the media reports of young people being sent behind bars for possession, consumption or sale of controlled narcotic and psychotropic substances. The Chukha dzongkhag court has so many such cases that some even call the court the highway court. Office of the Attorney General received 500 drug- related cases last year alone. This number is alarming, as more individuals could be involved in one case. Some of them could be repeat offenders. Imagine 500 people going to jail each year, and most of them being youth, what would happen to this land of happiness? Going at this rate, the future does not look so happy. Families are broken, more poor people drown into poverty. The impacts […]

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On road infrastructure, stray dogs, banking systems, pedestrian safety, women safety and human-wildlife conflict

Let’s build better roads The arrival of monsoon has opened the floodgates for problems like blocked drains, floods and the frequent roadblocks all over the country. With every monsoon, let alone the farm roads the national highways are also repeatedly getting blocked. For the people caught in the roadblocks situation, no matter how important their purpose of the journey, they have to wait for the roads department and other relevant agencies to clear the block. Some travelers land up even quarreling with roads officials coaxing them to open the roads for traffic. In the face of severe slides, there is only so much the officials can do. For years, we have seen this process repeat each year even claiming lives of commuters. I would like to urge the agencies and ministries concerned to build roads with quality such as looking […]

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On poor drainage, changes to primary education, organic food production and nocturnal disturbance at Olakha

Poor drainage With the arrival of monsoon, drains, footpaths and roads are getting flooded. We have been dealing with the same problems for some time now – blockage of drains, leading to overflow of the drain and sewage water. Sadly, we forget about all these once the monsoon is over. If the drainage systems are not built well, the problem is likely to continue due to waste accumulation. Therefore, the people would appreciate if the municipality looked into this and made proper plans to prevent such issues, not only this summer but for the many summers to come. Karma Lhamo Changzamtog resident (Published on July 30, 2018) Primary education needs a major overhaul My son woke up quite early today to the harsh realization that he has to go back to school soon. “Why? Don’t you like school?” I asked […]

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On employment, traffic rules, the use of social media and women in politics

No vacancies for B. Ed science graduates? On Royal Civil Service Commission’s recent vacancy announcement for the B. Ed graduates for 2018, many shared their disappointment over the government having less vacancy for B. Ed science graduates. Of about 205 vacancies announced Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology had three vacancies each. This was shared on social media pages several times. What is to happen to the other graduates? It is only when such issues are shared and discussed that we recognize the failure in our education system and planning. In the last 10 years, Kuensel reported that teachers’ attrition was highest last year with about 345 teachers leaving the profession. Of that, 260 teachers had voluntarily resigned. While the country is witnessing rising unemployment rate among youth, increasing attrition rate in any sector or department should be viewed as a […]

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On food safety, organic farming, erratic ATM service and traffic problems

Is fish we import safe? Fish imported from Andra Pradesh in Assam said to contain Formalin (Formaldehyde) is used to keep fish fresh for long period. Formaldehyde is a cancer-causing agent. Food Safety Authority is Assam had found that people have been using fish that contain Formaldeye in the periphery of Guwahati and Rangia in Assam. Rangia is only 50 km from Samdrup Jongkhar. So for the safety of our people, we may need to suspend the import of fish into the country. Givinda Humagai Gelephu (Published on July 16, 2018) Teachers in the heart of education system Teachers, who are working tirelessly round the clock, are the cornerstones of our education system. Many of our teachers are working in the most remote parts of the country. There are about 167,000 students in the country. We are proud of our […]

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Of swimming risk, child abuse, stray dog adoption, leaking water pipes and women in sports

Refrain from swimming in the river The recent incident of a young man who drowned while swimming in Wangchu at the Tango- Cheri base is disheartening. I have noticed people still picnicking and swimming in the river at the popular picnic spot in Thimphu. Maybe they are not aware of the recent incident or the risks of swimming at this time of the year. Authorities concerned should do something about it. Maybe, we need to put up a board asking people to refrain from swimming in the river because going by the number of people visiting the site and still seen swimming after the tragic incident, it seems they are not aware of the dangers. Pema Thimphu (Published on July 9, 2018) Protect our children It was very sad to know that three children were sexually abused over the years […]

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On central school impact, road safety and potholes, and Dungsam Polymer share price

Assess the impact of central school policy This government has established 63 central schools so far. These schools have immensely benefited a lot of children, especially those from poor parents. It is yet to conclude if central schools have really contributed to the improvement in the quality of education. However, the students get food and other necessities for free. The government is expected to open more central schools if the present government is reelected. Central schools are not a new concept in Bhutan. Many of us have been educated in central schools that were a thing of past until the present government re-introduced them. However, establishment of central schools should not affect the development of our rural communities. It is said that establishment of central schools has affected community and primary schools in many parts of the country. Establishment of […]

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Health worker shortage, media professionalism, teacher IWP and discotheque issue at Olakha, Thimphu

Addressing shortage of health workers The graduation of first batch of specialists from the medical university next month comes as good news to everyone. I am writing this in appreciation to everyone who made it possible to produce our homegrown specialists. The faculty members and the specialists should be commended for their hard work and the success. Providing opportunities for the resident doctors to study postgraduate courses within the country not only benefits the trainees but also patients and the hospital. Such initiatives should however continue without compromising the quality. Many issues have been raised on the shortage of health workers including the retention of the specialists in the country. The shortage is not only in Bhutan but also across the world. But it is important that the government works towards addressing the shortage. As new medical services get introduced […]

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JDWNRH’s parking again, mining safety, road and bridge quality and water shortage in Thimphu

JDWNRH’s parking story misinformed This is in response to “JDWNRH revamps its parking space” story published on May 31, 2018. The hospital’s Medical Superintendent reported that the people never used the parking space, especially at the rear side of the area. I don’t think this is true. What we can accept is, that the area never had lighting and there used to be piles of rubbish. Why? It is because the parking fee contractor felt it is hospital’s property and its duty to maintain the area while the hospital believes it’s the other way round. The unused space, which is still used as a smoking area, is vacant as ever and that portion can be converted into a planned facility. Proper planning and consultation is highly necessary and really demanded of in JDWNRH. The management has opened up one fourth […]

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