It was on the invitation of the Third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck that, Father William Joseph Mackey, came to Bhutan in 1963. The insightful step by the Third Druk Gyalpo took modern education in Bhutan to yet another level.
Thus, to mark the importance in the education system’s timeline, and perhaps, the most important role the Third Druk Gyalpo’s initiative played at that time and continues to play till date, the Nation celebrates Teacher’s day today, the day when the Third Druk Gyalpo was born.
From the time secular schools were introduced in early 1900s to 1968 when the Third King inaugurated the Teacher Training Institute in Samtse teachers have played a vital role in shaping the future leaders and citizens alike. Bhutan has 10,296 teachers, today.
“At the heart of the sector noble are the heroes and heroines who take on the most difficult job in the world – to change lives, improve societies, and transform nations. On Teachers’ Day, I would like to offer our deepest gratitude to all our teachers – past and present – for the light that you have been and the lives that you have touched. Thank you, dear teachers,” the former education minister, Thakur Singh Powdyel, had said during teachers’ day last year.
The outgoing Prime Minister, Jigmi Y.Thinley has said Bhutanese people need to come together and pay tribute to the contributions made by teachers. “This includes not only Bhutanese but also Indians and others who have helped create the Bhutanese education system.
To pay tribute to the educationists, various activities were organised at the first secular school in the country, Gongzim Ugyen Dorji Higher Secondary School. Many students BBS spoke to said they are grateful to the teachers for choosing to educate them. Some said it is the teachers who never fail to inspire them every day.
As a gesture of love and respect for their teachers, the students performed cultural activities. They also gave speeches thanking and acknowledging their teachers.
“The celebration of Teacher’s Day is a wonderful opportunity for us to express our heartfelt gratitude, deepest of respect and appreciation to our teachers,” said one of the students.
Meanwhile, coinciding with the birth anniversary of the Third Druk Gyalpo and Teachers day today, the Centenarian, was launched. The Centenarian is a 223 page book, which highlights the journey of the education system in Bhutan in the last hundred years. Apart from pictures and stories about the education system, the book also contains messages from students and teachers.
The Chief Advisor of the Interim government Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye launched the book.
