With the completion of the Academic Year 2012, we have completed two years of Continuing Education Program in our school. Our first batch of class XII CE has successfully completed their courses. They have written their last examination on 14th December 2012. We have had mixed group of 39 students who registered for BHSEC XII examinations.
However, all 39 of them could not complete their course. Two of them were irregular in class attendance right from the beginning. Upon reminder of compulsory 70% attendance, they opted to discontinue. One female participant, though was enthusiastic and had expressed lot of interest to continue, could not come back for examinations. She is undergoing treatment in National Referral Hospital, Thimphu. Her case is unfortunate. Only 36 of them could make up for their final examinations.
Opportunities
I cannot ascertain how the tutors and participants would have felt, but I myself got satisfied beyond descriptions. Firstly, by introducing CE course in my school, I could offer opportunity; to our civil servants who could not get opportunity during their time to pursue higher education; to our pass-outs who had nowhere to go, nothing to engage them meaningfully and to help make matured decisions; and to our self-employed persons to broaden their business tactics. Secondly, through this course, I also got an opportunity to engage myself with History students as their History tutor got transferred after our mid-term examinations. The way we teach our regular students and CE students are totally different. The response we get while teaching them is satisfying and their active participation in classroom prompts us to prepare on varied topics. Thirdly, despite some practical difficulties, I feel that the ones who got opportunity to tutor CE participants got some financial benefits.
Challenges
Together with advantages, we also had some disadvantages. Enforcing uniform attendance in the class was found very difficult. Despite repeated reminders to the parent organizers not to depute the employed students to different work areas, the students were sent on long tour. Some students did not see the attendance to be serious. They came to class as per their wish and will.
While there were many CE candidates who were really interested in upgrading their qualification, there were also few candidates who were simply present to pass time. Baylling HSS has enjoyed its position of being in the top 10 for many years, yet the same position cannot be guaranteed for 2013 academic session because of some CE candidates who were not serious.
Total Amount Collected
We have collected total amount of Nu. 4,69,259/- including Nu. 14,624/- (last year’s closing balance) from CE participants. The collection is from both class XI and XII CE candidates. Out of this collection, we have incurred an expenditure of Nu. 4,23,400/- inclusive of postal charges, SDF Deposit, purchase of stationery, and payment to tutors. The detail break-ups of collections, expenditures and balance are given in the summary sheets attached herein.
Dilemma of Admission for 2013 Academic Session
Initially, we had 8 candidates in class XI. However, over the times, one could not continue because of the distance between our school and his residential area. Another could not be kept in our school on the ground of discipline. He had been repeatedly seen in the detention cell of Yangtse police owing to his behavioral problems in public. We humbly had to say ‘no’ to him as he was not showing good example to our young learners as was expected from a matured learner. Finally, we are left with just 6 learners in class XI who would be studying in class XII in 2013 academic session.
My point of discussion is whether our school will be in position to provide them place in class XII next year. Obviously, we will not be able to run the program as their collection will not be able to meet the payment for tutors. This is not the topic I am pondering for the first time. I have discussed this topic with all tutors and participants before the start of this program. Like me, all tutors were of the opinion that it was not a good idea to start class XI this year as we did not see the continuity. Despite this vision, we had to start it as all the six interested learners submitted in writing expressing their agreement that they would not feel dejected even if they have to continue Class XII in other schools.
Based on this condition, we can drop this CE course easily. But, personally speaking, I do not think it is wise on our part to close it by sticking to agreement between learners and school. I would be pricked by the feelings of having cheated our trusted ones.
I see only two possible things that would rescue me from guilt and learners from dejection and helplessness. First one is the hope and prayer that would bring additional applicants in class XII expressing their interest to join CE courses.
I have not really reflected on having Class XI learners next year. But, I do not like to say that we will not have it. If learners see it to be helpful and if they want to pursue, I will have to open door for them. If learners of present XI and I are lucky, we may have more learners in class XI next year. More numbers of learners in class XI would mean enough collections to supplement less collection from class XII. That may be the second possibility which would rescue us.
As per our guidelines, we have to renew our contact with DAHE if we are to have CE in our school next year. I will be in position to intimate DAHE only after receiving applications from the learners.
Yonten Jamtsho
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