Sherig Collection in Bajothang Book Fair

From: Thimphutech.com

We just returned from two days at the Bajothang HSS book fair, where we displayed and distributed the Rigsum Sherig Collection to many schools outside of Thimphu: School principals, librarians, teachers and staff from eight Dzongkhags visited the Rigsum Sherig Collection tent (Dagana, Gasa, Paro, Punakha, Thimphu, Trongsa, Tsirang, and Wangdue).

Teacher from remote Lungtengang PS downloads the collection

Lots of interest from principals, teachers, and students

Teachers were eager to gain access to quality offline learning resources. Many have told us that the Internet connection at their school was more in theory than in practice (we learned that 3am-6am was the only time to attempt sending an email). Other schools were so remote that even mobile reception was insufficient. For teachers and students in such schools, the Sherig Collection was perceived as a life-changer. At last, teachers and students will have access to encyclopedias that do not cost a fortune and do not need to be kept locked behind glass doors. Khan Academy videos in maths and sciences will provide teachers with new ways of teaching existing materials, and for students, ways to strengthen their knowledge and expand it, while keeping their curiosity healthy.

Nearly all schools that visited our tent reported having computers for students to access. A few schools have only 1-2 computers for students, whereas many others have a computer lab. School computers range from old models to newer ones, from those with Windows XP to those with Windows 7. Some visitors were surprised to learn that the Sherig Collection will work on even old computers running Windows XP.

Many of the teachers and principals who visited had an external hard-drive or a laptop with them. They were therefore able to copy the Sherig Collection (approximately 25 min), and take it back to their schools.

Gasa PS principal (left) and Bajo HSS IT teacher (middle)

An additional benefit is that these Sherig-Collection-holding-schools now serve as contact points for nearby schools. For example, the principal of Gasa Primary School, Mr. Pema Dorji, will be distributing the software to all four schools in Gasa. Mr. Passang Tshering at Bajothang HSS has been distributing the Sherig Collection to many schools in the Wangdue-Punakha area, as well as assisting fellow teachers with ideas and tips about using the collection.

Our display was also visited by several officers from the Ministry of Education's Department of Curriculum Research and Development. They too now have the collection and will serve as a distribution point for schools in Paro. Executive director of the Bhutan Canada Foundation along with a Canadian teacher have expressed much interest - we hope that they can help spread the collection to schools with BCF teachers.

The Sherig Collection can be used in many ways. Students can be instructed to conduct research on a particular topic during the weekly IT session. A staff room computer can help teachers improve their lesson plans. One of the early adopting teachers of the Sherig Collection shared that he uses a projector to show students a Khan Academy video during class.

DCRD Director getting a tour of the Sherig Collection

It was a busy two days, with plenty of visitors, demos, downloading, and interactions. We have also collected wish lists for further improving the collection.

Educators who missed the Bajo fair and the earlier information session in Thimphu are welcome to visit us at the Rigsum Research Lab and obtain the collection.

The Facebook group, intended for sharing information and experiences, already has over 100 members, including teachers, principals and other education/knowledge seekers. The group is fairly active and we invite teachers, librarians, principals, curriculum developers and anyone interested in getting their school or organization on board.

We extend our many thanks to Bajo teacher Mr. Passang Tshering for organizing the Sherig tent and for the wonderful hospitality.

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School Marathon 2013

School Annual Marathon is held today, with over 160 students taking part in the race. Senior Boys ran 16 km- from school ground to Khuruthang and back to school ground while junior boys and senior girls ran 10 km- from school ground to Samthang and back to school ground. Junior girl ran 8 km.
Following are the runner who made it to the victory stand in the four different categories:

Junior Girls

Senior Girls

Junior Boys

Senior Boys

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Sherig Collection in Bajothang

Bajothang eLearning Club is a new club founded by school computer teacher, Passang Tshering with 18 student members. The club aims to explore way to bring eLearning concept to school and build eLearning resources. The vision and action plan of the club could be read on their blog.
The new club, though with smart concept, was fighting endless limitations. Coincidentally, Rigsum invited the club master to attend the introductory presentation and demo of Sherig Collection in Thimphu, which was a blessing to the new club.
Read about the Sherig Collection in the following page from Kuensel, which also contain words of the school club master.

Kuensel Page

The whole collection is with the eLearning Club and could be easily shared with any school or individual during the school hours. While our own students and teachers wishing to avail the resources can visit the computer lab where at least 10 computers are equipped with the collection as of today.
The club plans to set up Wiki Booths in library and WiFi Park to make the resources easily accessible by the students.

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The schools at the top of the excellence ladder

Following is an article from Kuensel Dated 16th April 2013. It talks about the ranking of schools based on their academic performances. Such rating has always led to people being judgmental about school regardless of how much effort schools have put in in making differences in the lives of children. The whole purpose of education in school is reduced to mere academic results by such ranking, however it must be understood that it's rather the lack of adequate resources and knowledge that led to such narrow measurement.

In accordance with the school performance rankings developed by the education ministry

Fifteen schools in the country have maintained their rankings in the list of top 40 performing schools in 2012, according to the school performance rankings the education ministry released yesterday.

The 15 schools, including nine high schools, were also in the list of the top 40 performing schools in the previous year.

However, unlike in the list of 2011, no community primary schools (CPS) in the country made it to the 2012’s list.  But lower secondary schools, which had not made it to the previous year’s list, have made it to the list this time. (see box)

The schools are ranked through the performance management system (PMS), which the ministry started, to assess the quality of education in schools.  PMS is a tool to measure and continuously improve performance of schools in respect to key areas of attainments, education officials said.

The education monitoring and support services division (EMSSD) assesses schools in three areas: school performance scorecards, school self-assessment (SSA), and annual school improvement plan (A-SIP).

School performance scorecards further include three scorecards of (i) academic learning scorecards (ii) quality enabling practices (EPS) and (iii) GNH scorecard.

Education officials explained that the academic learning scorecards measure a school’s performance against student academic outcomes, such as percentage of student performing above 45, 60 and 70 percent, and emphasis authentic learning over rote learning

The quality enabling practices scorecard measures effectiveness of critical processes and practices of school management, quality and impact of teaching and training, infrastructure, and rigour and effectiveness of school planning processes.  District education officers mark this scorecard at the start and middle of every academic year.

While the GNH scorecard measures achievement on GNH values and practices in schools, as measured through the GNH indicators developed by EMSSD.

The top 40 schools will be awarded certificates, the focus, said education officials, is more on identifying schools that need improvement. “Education monitoring officers will visit schools to find out the causes of low performance and identify appropriate solutions and interventions,” education officials said.

To ensure the delivery of quality education, the division would continue to support schools in preparing school improvement plan and in implementing it; assist during PMS exercises until the rating becomes consistent with school performance across the country; focus more on low performing schools; and decentralize ranking to local education authorities.

Annual ranking of schools are declared at four levels of schools from PP to III (primary); IV to VI (primary); VII to X (middle secondary) and XI to XII (higher secondary.)

Education officials said the annual school rankings are determined by the academic learning scorecard for classes III, VI, and public examination performance in classes X and XII.   Data from schools’ EPS and GNH scorecards are also included to generate a more comprehensive performance school ranking.

In an earlier interview on assessing and ranking schools, education minister Thakur S Powdyel had said that, by assessing school performance, the ministry is taking into account the integrity of school life, and requiring the schools to operate at a very high level, both academically and intellectually.

“So, by the end of the year, there’s a certain requirement to be met by all students, and we want them to be able to measure up by what the curriculum says at the very minimum,” lyonpo had said. “As they’re full time students, taught by full time teachers in full time schools, learning has to be full time.”

By Sonam Pelden

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Staff Photo 2013

Three teachers are not in the picture because they were on leave. 

Last Row: Bhola Nath, Pema Tshering, Pema Choden, Phuntsho Om, Tshering Lhamo, Sonam Dema, Kuenzang Gem, Namgay Choden, Jamphel Zangmo, Tsheten Yangden, Chabi Kumar, Karma Tshering, Karma Tenzin.

Row 4: Rinchen Zangmo, Kencho Lham, Sherab Lham, Nidup Pem, Yeshey Dolma, Yeshey Choden, Sangay Lhaden, SK Mongar, Tenzin Tshogay, Chimi Om, Leela Kumari, Karma Yangzom, Kuenzang Choden, Pema Wangchuk.

Row 3: Chador, Thinley Dorji, Sonam Dorji M, Hemlal Pokhrel, Damcho Wangchuk, Kinley DOrji, Sonam Yeshey, Sangay Dorji, Shacha Wangmo, Pema Yangzom, Ugyen Rinzin.

Row 2: Khemnath Sharma, Kailash Rai, Phurba, Melam (Vice Principal), Shangkar Lal Dahal (Principal), Tshewang Jamtsho (Vice Principal), Tshering Gyeltshen, Ugyen Dorji, Ugyen Tshering.

Row 1: Yeshey Dendup, Tashi Choden, Passang Tshering, Tshering Zam, Ugyen Dorji, Yangchen Lham, Tashi Wangchuk

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