Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) graduates specialising in Dzongkha have appealed to the Royal Civil Service Commission to review their school placements, saying their postings do not match their professional training. Of the 18 who graduated this year, 15 have been deployed to primary schools. The PGDE graduates from the Paro College of Education submitted the petition to the Commission last month.
In their petition, the Dzongkha PGDE graduates stated that their programme is specifically designed to prepare them to teach Dzongkha from classes seven to 12. On the other hand, B.Ed. Primary graduates are trained to teach in primary schools.
Some graduates, requesting anonymity, said their concern is not about being posted to rural schools, but about being assigned to a level for which they were not trained. They say placing teachers according to their specialised training would improve teaching quality and ensure effective use of specialised human resources.
“Teaching them is not just about following the textbook; it also requires specialised skills to help them understand what is being taught. B.Ed Primary graduates undergo four years of training specifically to teach at the primary level, and they develop the expertise and skills required. However, PGDE graduates are not trained for primary education. If we are deployed to primary schools, how can we provide the quality education that students deserve?”
“Fifteen of us have been deployed to primary schools, and the placement has left us worried. We were trained to teach in middle and higher secondary schools, not in primary schools. We recently saw news stating that the Ministry of Education and Skills Development had not received any complaints. However, we would like to clarify that we submitted letters to both the RCSC and the ministry last month, but we have not received any response.”
The issue was also raised in the recent Meet the Press session. The Minister for Education and Skills Development clarified that teacher placements are carried out by the Royal Civil Service Commission, not the ministry. The minister also explained that some PGDE graduates may be posted to primary schools to address teacher shortages and ensure classes continue without disruption.
The BBS wrote to the Royal Civil Service Commission for clarification regarding the matter on 5th July. The Commission acknowledged receiving the email. However, it has yet to issue a response.
Sonam Yuden
Edited by Sonam Pem
