More than 2500 teacher volunteers from across the country have come together with a proposal on e-learning which will be in place within a few weeks. This is to engage children in learning at home during emergencies and schools closures.
The teachers came together following the closure of schools in some Dzongkhags after a tourist was tested positive for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) a week ago.
Volunteers include teachers, support staffs and District Education Officers from all parts of the country. The volunteer group, Teachers Volunteers of Bhutan (V-ToB), recently came together with an initiative to start e-learning system in the country.
E-learning refers to the learning conducted through electronic media. The V-ToB will make e-learning available through Bhutan Broadcasting Service and Google classroom.
According to a teacher, the group aims to go beyond COVID-19 and cater towards creating an archive of online learning materials.
“During the two weeks of closure, children cannot go to school for education. So during such situations, how do we as a teacher confront the situation is important. Therefore we came up with the proposal of e-learning. However, the initiatives that we are taking right now are not only for the COVID-19 situation. Our idea is to go beyond COVID-19. It will be useful throughout,” said Sonam Norbu, a Teacher of Lobesa LSS in Punakha.
He also said every challenge is an opportunity where in the current situation, COVID-19 is a challenge and creating e-learning is an opportunity. The group also donated a sum of over Nu 1.2 M to the government.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister during the press conference yesterday shared plans to go forward with the teacher’s proposal on e-learning.
“Teachers said they want to start with distant education through digital media using computer and tablets. So right now they are discussing it. We will film them teaching and will broadcast through BBS. Then the videos will be uploaded on YouTube and the Internet. To those parents in the rural areas who are not aware of the internet, for their children we are planning on downloading all the syllabus in tablet computer (Tablet) and give it to them,” said Dr Lotay Tshering, the Prime Minister.
While the e-learning system in the country is being prepared, many schools across the country are keeping their students engaged by giving assignment and homework through social media groups.
Kinley Dem/Sangay Chezom
