GNH Schools?

This is an editorial from Bhutan Today.

February 4, 2010 · Filed Under editorial

How many of our teachers know details about their students, what kind of family they come from, what sort of learning abilities they have or lack, and what health problems they may be having?

Of course, this may sound like a tall order for our teachers, who are, going by common sentiment, over­worked, underpaid, underappreciated, and continually criticized.

A teacher at the Educating for GNH conference in Paro on Wednesday spoke about his fears regarding the government’s attempts to integrate the values of Gross National Happiness in the fabric of the education system. If this fails, he said, it would be one more thing that people would find to criticize the education system for. The coming year shall definitely see some critical reviews from the media and others on just how well our ‘GNH Schools’ are performing.

But the reason that the people are so interested in educators and how well they function is because of the magnitude of the role that these people have in shaping the nation. Perhaps they feel overly scrutinized, but this is an occupational hazard that teachers have to live with, just the way politicians do. Their work is very impor­tant, simply too important for everyone to allow to pass by unnoticed.

The Prime Minister in his address to the principals at the workshop on Wednesday spoke about how principals and teachers have a greater role than simply running the school.

It will indeed be incredibly easy to ensure that all our children are in school, safe, with the prospect of a beau­tiful future, if our principals take it upon themselves to ensure that children living in their towns are coming to school, and to find out why if they are not.

It is the duty of the local leaders, district officials, and indeed everyone who lives in a particular region, to ensure that it is possible for children living there to go to school.

Why is it that we do not take action, even when we see that something is not quite as it should be? Why do we shake our heads in sorrow, mutter a few words of sym­pathy, blame the government, and then let it go, when really all we need to do is take our concern to the next level.

A little bit of money may be what is keeping the chil­dren away from school, a few ngultrums that someone can spare may buy them a uniform and books. But we would rather blame the system, and wonder why noth­ing is being done than to be proactive ourselves.

Sometimes, what makes us hesitate to put forward a helping hand, is the realization that we are not a figure of authority. In this the principals have a role to play, es­pecially in small communities where they are respected. When a neighbour asks questions about some bruises that they see on a child, the response will be cold, but when a teacher does the same, the same person will be obliged to answer.

A wonderful community would be where we care about people other than our immediate family, where the leaders and officials actively pursue the GNH life for their community, and where teachers care enough to ask why someone is losing weight, why they seem depressed, or why they are not coming to school.

We may have many problems, but there are only a few that cannot be solved by a little kindness. And in a GNH country, it is our duty to be kind.

Nu. 7 billion Small Development Projects through GOI!

This is good news. I hope our people at the grassroots are aware of this project, and that civil society organisations including our geog offices can apply for these projects? This SDP could cover several of the projects not earmarked in the 10FYP. Read on for more news from Bhutan Today on this:

Of the Nu 34 billion support committed by the government of India (GOI) for the 10th plan, Nu seven billion has been earmarked for sustainable development projects

The ambassador of India to Bhutan, Pavan K Varma, handed over a cheque for Nu 393.9 million to Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley yesterday.

The amount comprises 30 per cent mobilization advance for the implementation of the first lot of 441 small development projects (SDPs).

The Prime Minister said that this was a reflection of India’s special sensitivity and concern for the problem of poverty in Bhutan.

“It is very important form of support and the money will directly go for improving the living standards at 205 geogs in the country,” Lyonchhen said.

Lyonchhen added that Bhutanese people particularly in rural are eagerly waiting for the money and they will be happy to know that the money has been released.

The Ambassador Pavan K Varma said that this 30 per cent of money is very important and pivotal as it is structured to prevent any delay in the implementation of projects as all projects are identified in a credible manner.

The Ambassador said: “I hardly have to say that the well being of the people of Bhutan is also the well being of India.”

He said: “The projects, jointly cleared and approved by the two governments, were structured to prevent any delay and reflected the “nature and content of our collaboration.”

The ambassador also ensured that India will try to expedite the clearance of further projects as the working modality is already in place and it is going on vigilantly to complete them in a time bound manner.

The ambassador also said that all these projects are close to our hearts in terms of contains and the nature of collaboration and SDP is a fruition of the common interest of Bhutan and India.

According to the Secretary of Gross National Happiness Commission (GNH), Karma Tshiteem, the SDP is a new financing window introduced between Bhutan and India in the 10th plan and all these 441 projects are included in this plan.

“Out of Nu 34 billion support committed by India in the 10th plan, Nu 20 billion is provided as project-tied assistance, Nu 7.00 billion as programmme grant and Nu 7.0 billion as SDP for the key socio-economic areas, which are short gestation, community-oriented and impact lives of a wider cross section of the society,” said GNHC Secretary.

Karma Tshiteem said that all these 441 projects are community oriented and all projects are originated from local government from geogs and dzongkhags, and reflect local priorities.

The GNH Secretary said: “Money released is significant for the implementation of local government projects and all 441 projects will get 30 percent of money for the project.”

The 441 projects of SDP will cover in the areas of drinking water supply, health, education, construction of administrative offices and community hall, roads, bridges, culture, irrigation channels and Renewable Natural Resource (RNR) centres.

The 441 projects covering all the 205 geogs of Bhutan were identified in the first meeting of the Small Project Development Committee in Thimphu in November last year.

The committee comprises members from the royal government and the Embassy of India.

By Kezang Dorji in THIMPHU

Can vocational education and training save Bhutan?

By the end of 10FYP, there would be in excess of 93,000 youths looking for jobs in the small job market in Bhutan. Can Labour Minister Dorji Wangdi wave a magic wand to create 50,000 jobs through VET system? I think there is a way out but for that to happen, several things must come into place. Policies, occupational standards, accreditation, curriculum, assessments, competency-based test methods, qualified and committed instructors, managers, quality considerations, culmination of healthy respect for blue collar jobs, respectable wage and willingness of people to pay the wage, and so on.... The task is not easy but it is not impossible.

Let us read an article by Michelle Goodman in www.payScale.com. I think VET has a chance in Bhutan if there is genuine political and bureaucratic will.


Blue-Collar Jobs in Demand for 2010

by Michelle Goodman, PayScale.com

Ready for a career change but dread getting another desk job? Then how about trying your hand at, well, working with your hands?
"There is a blue collar renaissance going on right now," says Joe Lamacchia, author of "Blue Collar and Proud of It: The All-in-One-Resource for Finding Freedom, Financial Success, and Security Outside of the Cubicle."

"These are necessary jobs, and they're not going to go anywhere. Our nation's infrastructure is crumbling. We want to turn this country green, and we don't have enough workers to do it. There's a lot of opportunity here."

Following is a list of blue collar jobs experts say are most in demand this year, and their median annual salary according to online salary database PayScale.com. Training for many of these positions includes a paid on-the-job apprenticeship, and the work can be physically rigorous. None of these jobs require education beyond a two-year associate's degree.

Plumber, pipefitter, or steamfitter
"With all the alternative energy sources that people are coming up with -- like solar heating, geothermal heat, and biofuel -- there's a big need for these workers," says Laurence Shatkin, co-author of "300 Best Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree." According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these occupations are among the highest paid in the construction industry. Most of these workers receive their training in a technical school or community college, in addition to a four- or five-year apprenticeship, the BLS reports. In most states and municipalities, plumbers need to obtain a license. Median annual salary: $49,773.

Elevator installer/repairer
This is one of the best-paid blue-collar positions, Shatkin says. What's more, he says, it's incredibly recession-proof, as most of the work entails maintenance or repair. According to the BLS, most elevator technicians start their career in a four-year apprenticeship program and belong to a union. In addition, city and state licensing is often required. Median annual salary: $49,036.

Carpenter
Do you have a strong back, a propensity for math, and a love of power tools? Then you might enjoy carpentry. Although the construction industry took a beating during the recession, the demand for environmentally friendly, energy-efficient buildings has helped hasten the field's recovery, the BLS notes. "These are the people who are going to green this country," Lamacchia says. In fact, the BLS expects carpentry opportunities to grow by 13 percent this decade. According to the BLS, a third of carpenters are self-employed. In addition, many acquire the necessary skills by training on the job, enrolling in a vocational program, or working as an apprentice for three or four years. Median annual salary: $38,473.

Electrician
According to the BLS, employment growth in the field will increase 12 percent this decade. Those with the widest range of skills -- such as voice, data, and video wiring -- will be the most marketable, the BLS reports. Factor in the nation's move to green energy sources, says Shatkin, and you have a thriving occupation. As the BLS notes, electricians usually get their training during a four-year apprenticeship. As with plumbers, state and municipal licensing is usually required. Median annual salary: $45,218.

Automobile mechanic
No matter what the economy's doing, this is one job in demand. "When a recession hits, people want to keep their cars running longer instead of buying new," Shatkin says. A vocational training program in automotive technology (often six to 12 months) or a two-year associate degree is usually needed to be competitive in the marketplace, the BLS reports. Median annual salary: $35,889.

Heating, air conditioning, or refrigeration mechanic/installer
Thanks to the government offering consumers tax incentives to upgrade their appliances to more energy-efficient models, the demand for such technicians remains generous, Shatkin says. In fact, the BLS estimates that job opportunities will increase by a whopping 28 percent this decade. To compete in the job market, the BLS says, a six-month to two-year vocational program or an apprenticeship are usually required. Same goes for state and local licenses. Median annual salary: $48,494.

Roofer
If you're strong, comfortable with heights, and don't mind getting dirty, you might like this line of work. Since much of the work revolves around repairing or replacing outdated roofing systems, the occupation is fairly recession proof, the BLS says. Another variable that can keep roofers busy: "There's more concentration now on making green roofs that keep buildings cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter," Shatkin says. Training is often obtained on the job or through a three-year apprenticeship, the BLS reports. Median annual salary: $38,026.

Still not sure you can leave the cubicle life behind? Then, Lamacchia says, consider this: "You're home in the evening. You're not at the airport or living out of a suitcase. You can go to your daughter's play or your son's little-league game. It's a nice life."

Source: Salary data from http://www.PayScale.com, a leading online provider of employee compensation data. The salaries listed are median annual salaries for full-time workers with 8 years of experience and include bonuses, commissions, and profit sharing.

Michelle Goodman is a freelance business journalist and author of "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide" and "My So-Called Freelance Life."

Why do we have a skewed labour market in Bhutan?

Bhutan has a very skewed labour market. Many people want to be civil servants and few people want to join the private sector. A skilled carpenter in a remote village earns a more decent living than a graduate of vocational training institutes and more and more college graduates remain unemployed. Civil service is a dream job for most of our youths and many semi-skilled VTI graduates languish in pre-employment camps set by our government. Why is this so? Perhaps, the ditorial below from Kuensel throws some light on this phenomenon.


The foreign trip racket

1 February, 2010 - For many Bhutanese, the number of foreign trips made in a year defines a good job. The opportunity to travel out of the country is an important factor in choosing a career and the civil service is the most desired place to work because it guarantees overseas trips.

As a developing country and with many development partners, Bhutanese officials are frequently on the move, either to attend seminars, workshops, or on study tour and for training. There is nothing wrong in officials going abroad. As late developers, Bhutanese need exposure through study tours to learn from the other’s experiences. Whether it is academic studies, practical training or professional exposure, they are a process of learning.
The problem is not so much the travel but the value and if relevant people are getting the opportunity.

There is no denying some disgruntled civil servants say that government officials travel abroad in place of relevant staff and that it is common practice across the bureaucracy. The underlying concern is that it is often the wrong people making the wrong trips for the wrong reasons.

It is an open secret and a third world mindset that we are often overwhelmed by the wrong attractions of training opportunities. The priority of education and training is forgotten when an opportunity arises. Nobody asks what they can learn from the training. The first reaction is always where is the training and who is funding it.

Again, there is nothing wrong in an official making a little extra money from the trips, but the danger is when officials, especially at decision-making levels, start grabbing plum opportunities. Why do senior officials need to pursue a master’s degree when they have already reached a late stage in their career?

Foreign trips had been an issue in the past and it will always be one. Still, since we talk of equity and, more importantly, greater transparency, it should be more systematic and streamlined. Trainings or study tours should not be decided by monetary benefits, but based on who benefits. Because opportunities are not shared, we have government officials in the dzongkhags feeling neglected, while their colleagues in central government appear to grab the best training opportunities. That is why are finding it hard to send officials to work outside Thimphu.

It is true that, given the circumstances in which we live and work, exposure trips are opportunities where a television set or a digital camera can come as a side benefit that would otherwise be out of reach. But foreign trips, with all the perks, should be given to relevant people and more responsible decisions should be taken in this regard.

State Financing for political parties?

This article appeared in Business Bhutan in support of state financing for political parties. For us to have a vibrant democracy, do we really need state support to political parties? I have a little mixed thoughts on this but I think this is something we need to ponder upon. Read view from one Tenzin Choeda, kanglung below:


In a revealing statement, while talking to the people of Gelephu this week, Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley said that Bhutanese democracy is lacking something very important. He said there is no presence of politicalparties in the grassroots.

Local party workers are an important component of democracy who inform the seat of government at Thimphu the pulse of the people. But what is happening now is that the villagers get to see our MPs very few times in a year. And considering the poor financial state of our parties, as the prime minister said, they cannot have offices or paid staff in the constituencies.

And the Bhutanese people, mainly the educated lot who sit in Thimphu and write in online forums, have been bent on defeating the democratic process. The media also joined hands with the anti-political party sentiments and blocked state funding for political parties.

That was the first nail on the coffin of Bhutanese democracy. Sadly, we have come to a stage that to talk for state funding for parties is considered blasphemous.

Why do we need state funding for parties?

Formation of political parties in other democracies, especially in the commonwealth, has been a very organic process, with the parties already established before the ushering in of democracy. They began as small groups and then became big forces with an identifiable ideology of their own. The party member was first born before the party leader. A common ideology bound the party members, and a party system was already in place with scope for fund generation. For example, in India, even before the country became a democracy, the Indian National Congress was a well-oiled system with a strong base. Leaders changed, but the party lived on. And still, the local party units are strong pressure groups on the central leadership.

But the Bhutanese case was just the opposite. Leaders were not born from parties, but parties were born from leaders. There were no ideological differences between the parties. People put in money to support a friend, a relative, or a former respected bureaucrat. Election campaign ate up all funds, but elections ran smoothly and a government was formed. Has anyone thought that our elected leaders who sit in the highly ornate parliament house are like the grass that sprouts in the first rain? It looks beautiful and green, but the roots are not strong. The ‘grass roots’ are weak.

We are a growing democracy. Let us nurture it. Let our parties have wise party workers in the village who can guide our MPs. Let us have party offices where villagers can walk in and talk about their needs. Let us not block everything calling it ‘unconstitutional’. The Constitution is for the people, not people for the Constitution. Just because you may not like the government, please don’t nip the bud of democracy. Many Bhutanese are not happy with our MPs as they hiked their own pay, and demanded more respect with a pathang. But let democracy prevail. A sitting MP, if he fails in the next election, may resign from politics. But just because MPs or politicians leave, our experiment with democracy should not fail. The untimely and sad collapse of PDP is a writing on the wall for all Bhutanese to see. Can we renew the debate on state funding for political parties?

Tenzin Choeda,
Kanglung

How do we create employment?

This is news to me. As an executive member of IT Association of Bhutan and a member of the fledgling IT industry in Bhutan, if this is true, things are not going right for the industry and for the country. According to statistics, government needs to create some 93,000 jobs by 10FYP. If all these activities are going to be done by Indian firms, how will our private sector create jobs and how will we have growth? I hope this is not true and that the government corrects this if it is true. This is a news article by Sonam Pelden in Bhutan Observer. Read on:


Local IT firms question ICT agreement
29 January 2010
The Total Solutions Project (TSP) agreement signed between the Department of Information Technology (DIT) and NIIT of India last March has ruffled the feathers of local IT firms.

The agreement says that NIIT will spearhead the supply of hardware components for Bhutan. The Bhutanese IT firms say that, while the project will benefit a large section of the population, they will see little growth if the whole procurement of materials goes to the Indian firm. The proprietor of Gyelyong Enterprise, a Thimphu-based IT firm, said the IT business in Bhutan was already going down with big-budget projects going directly to the suppliers. “It will make our survival difficult.

This project should be given to the Bhutanese vendors,” he said. The fledgling Bhutanese IT firms will suffer losses if some Indian company supplies the materials, according to the General Manager of Bhutan International, Shyam Basnet. The Chairman of IT Association of Bhutan, Rinzy Dorji, said the association does not know anything about TSP and its procurement procedures. But if the procurement business goes to the Indian firms, he said the issue would be taken up to the Ministry of Information and Communication (MoIC) where the survival of Bhutanese IT firms and vendors would be discussed.

“If the Indian firms are going to do everything, how will the IT capacity grow in the country?” he asked. “In order to grow, we need work and experience. Otherwise, the license holders would be just sitting uselessly paying taxes and giving employment.” “When there are so many IT graduates and firms in the country, why depend on others? Rinzy Dorji asked. However, an MoIC official said that the steering committee of the project wants the Bhutanese vendors to be involved in the procurement of materials. “The agreement would be reviewed,” he said, adding that once the agreement has been reviewed, each sector will take up the procurement job separately.

The project involves five sectors, namely Education Ministry, Labour Ministry, Royal University of Bhutan, Royal Civil Service Commission and DIT. The sectors will work on five components –training of 12, 000 government employees including 5,000 teachers, computer labs in the tertiary institutions, 260 Hole-in-the-Wall projects and taking ICT to 168 schools.

MoIC Secretary, Dasho Kinley Dorji, said that the sectors involved will sit with NIIT officials and discuss what happens in each sector and finalize equipment procurement. “Each sector will look at the proposal made, and we have to go through the rules on purchasing equipment,” he said. By the end of February, the decision on training, equipment and timetable will be made. Asked if any amendments would be made to the agreement, he said the agreement itself is flexible.

During His Majesty’s recent visit to India, the Indian government pledged a grant of Nu 2.05 billion for the development of ICT in Bhutan. The grant MoU says that the Indian government will continue to provide financial support for implementing the ICT projects under Bhutan’s 10th five-year plan and expedite the implementation of TSP.

The project will provide access to information technology and IT solutions to a significant proportion of Bhutan’s population over the next five years and promote Bhutan as a knowledge-based society.

By Sonam Pelden

GOVERNMENT GOING TRANSPARENT NOW?

Our government came under attack for banning live TV from the national assembly hall last year and for initiating performance audit of BBS when it refused or rather could not cover a session of the parliament when asked to do so. The speaker was quoted saying "BBS dhi zhung gi inna gyer gi inna" insinuating that if it is financed by the government, it should do as told and questioning the independence of media in the country.
This is an editorial from Bhutan Today about transparency in government.Transparency in government is, perhaps, one of the most important requirements in a democracy. Let us hear Bhutan Today's perspectives on this:

January 14, 2010 · Filed Under editorial

So, now the government wants to be more open to the media. Or it seems so. It depends on how committed they are.

In fact, before the democratic government came into place, the cabinet secretariat had come out with the weekly briefings on major decisions taken by the gov?ernment. We did have one or two sittings in the Cabinet Secretariat. Then, the whole arrangement fizzled out.

When we asked the cabinet office for any information, they didn’t have the appropriate information, because they are not fed with the appropriate answers. Nor were there any one responsible for coordinating the flow of information. Perhaps, lack of cooperation from the rel?evant ministry/department had most likely constrained them in their work.

We don’t blame the people in the cabinet office. They have to do their own routine work and at the same time field the reporters. And reporters can and do come out with the weirdest questions.

The move to hold press briefings every Wednesday was supposed to be an example when the new demo?cratic government sat on the saddle. That was part of the government’s effort to be transparent.

Of course when the new government came into power, for some reason it fizzled out. The caretaker government bowed out and it was all up to the new one to do something about it. The continuity stopped there.

Now the government wants to continue with the system. The cabinet meets every Tuesday and the media would be informed of the outcome by late Tuesday or Wednesday morning at the latest. That is a laudable effort.

Now that PMO has appointed someone to handle this PR side of the government, we do expect something more than what we were handed out in the past.

If transparency is to be as transparent as promised, it is time that the government set up a conduit that will ensure it. As is often said, the government officials are not approachable. We always have to approach the spokesperson. The point is that even when we contact the spokespersons, s/he is never able to provide the full information as the person doesn’t know what is hap?pening about a particular project. When we contact the project manager or the person in-charge, we are told to contact the spokesperson. So we end up in a wild goose chase.

The Prime Minister and the ministers, combined together, have to run a government. They are a busy bunch of VIPs. Many reporters felt that many of the ministers are accessible. Such accessibility is mostly based on personal contact. That is understandable. One has to build confidence in your sources.

There might be as many annoying reporters as there are brusque and unapproachable ministers, or for that matter ministry secretaries and departmental directors. If we continue with the blame game, we will only tire ourselves pointing the finger at each other.

The best solution would be to understand each other’ problems and render assistance wherever possible. No one is asking for some one to bend over backwards. We are each doing our work.

Accompanying the Prime Minister or a minister on some important visit abroad has also come as an issue. Now the question is who should go and who shouldn’t? What should be the selection criteria?

This is at present not the important issue. The issue is transparency. If every one follows that principle, if not everything, at least, most problems would be solved.