They have big dreams, big ambition. But they are not being able to lay what they call a strong foundation to achieve their big dreams and ambitions. This, the students of Singye Namgyel Community Primary School, say is because of lack of professional teachers in their school. Out of the seven teachers, only two are professionals and rest five are contract teachers.
“I want to become an engineer,” said one of the students. Another said he wants to become a doctor later. “I want to become an actor,” said another.
The School is one of the remote schools in Athang Gewog, Wangdue Phodrang. The Gewog authorities say the academic performance of students has been poor in the recent years.
“We are worried as these children are from remote villages, and if their educational foundation at this level is not strong, they will be unable to compete with students from other schools in future,” said Khandu Dorji, Athang Gup.
Some of the parents said the education ministry should provide professional teachers to the school. “Not just students but we, the parents, are also equally worried as our children will waste their time due to lack of professional teachers in the School,” said of the parents, Sangay.
The School Principal, Yeshi Gamtsho, said they have requested the Dzongkhag on the matter but to no avail. “We have been requesting the Dzongkhag to send us permanent professional teachers every year. Although the Ministry and Dzongkhag try their best, yet it has been difficult as most teachers are B.Ed secondary, and so they are reluctant to teach in pry schools.”
One of the contract teachers agreed that they are not able to teach properly as they lack professional training.
“Most of the contract teachers like us are fresh out of school. And so, without any training, we face lots of problems while teaching in the schools. If only the education ministry could train us for few months, we would be more confident,” said Lhap Tshering.
The School Principal said contract teachers have not been able to teach the students professionally.
Every year the School is seeing an increasing number of students. Currently, there are about 149 students in the School. With boarding facilities, the school was built in 2008.
