My Memory of early years

 I was born in the small village in Trashigang, Samkhar, Bikhar to a subsistence farmer. I went to school at the age of 9. I'm the eldest of 11 siblings. In those years, the system of education was two year in pre-primary, 5 years in primary school, two years in Junior high school, two year in secondary and two years in Higher secondary schools. By the time I reach class 1, I was 12 year old as today, our kids will be in class 7.

In those days, learning was of rote learning. The teachers were all or almost all from the Indian state of Kerela except language teachers and their method of teachings are mostly dictation of  notes from text books. The students will struggle to cope up writing at the speed of the teachers reading from the text books. As the immature student, we just thought is the simplified version but careful reading from the textbook will find that it is ditto copy from the textbook. The notes will have to muck-up and recite in the class next day and those not being able to recite will have corporal punishment. I was not good at it and am not considered good at studies and those who can muck up are considered intelligent.

The Indian teachers will down look on the Bhutanese teachers, as most Bhutanese teachers were mostly non-university degree having only primary teacher certificate holders. The Head of the schools were mostly Indians. Indians teachers claims they were over qualified but their teaching methodology are of oriental style. 

I had a difficult time financially during school days, although education was free. I was not able to effort to buy school uniforms and have never worn pants and shirts. I remain timid, reclusive and shy and had very few friends in school. This character still in me today where I'm not being able to face people if I think he/she has some authority over me.

Teachings in those days are not like today where teachers were trained  and it was the rote learning like in the monastic schools. The learning and teaching was examination oriented. I still remember Class V common examination question paper where the students was ask to write a particular stanza of poem in English literature. There will be about 10 poems and all poems should by-hard.

In my school days, we have to study Indian history, English grammar and literature from class 3. This doesn't mean that's good but we were crammed into learning with canning. The subjects like Biology, Chemistry & physics from class 7. These syllabus are from Indian Board, Indian Council of Secondary Certificate Examinations and the board exams are for class X & XII are conducted from Delhi, India in the month of March annually.

Winter break in those years are about 3 months from 18th December to mid March and going school after winter break are not happy either. I feel like going to hell because of the learning environment. There were so many bullies and abuse in the school by seniors and stronger students and even by teachers. These type of environment is no different today in our workplaces in the offices that Bhutanese office leaders lack leadership and wisdom.

With great hardship, I studied up-to class 10 and joined the training institute for two years at RIM with stipend of Nu. 700 per month. With this stipend, the trainees has to survive as there was no hostel facilities then. I had no relative in the capital city to adjust and stay with them. I stayed with friends of three in one room rented for Nu. 300/- and we have to do cooking, sleeping and dinning in one room. We would collect Nu. 300/- for ration. But we were young and energetic, we will go to get vegetables from other nearby garden at midnight. If we think today, it is the crime and my hair get straight thinking of those days.

In 1992 September, I completed two years training on Accounts and Audit and got government job at grade 12 with the designation of Accountant. The salary at that time was Nu. 2700/-. In 1994, I participated an interview to erstwhile Unit Trust of Bhutan and later Bhutan National Bank Ltd. in 1996 and got selected and am still today i.e march 2022 at BNBL. 

One positive characteristics I imbibe throughout my school years is Continuous learning and Education habits. Although, this habits has negative as well as positive advantages as we have to progress into making living and learning at two prong strategies in life. I'm interested to learn and relearn but I feel I'm dyslexic for all the school years which has not been diagnosed  as of now.

I'm still learning and my journey of continuous learning will be shared in the next or coming blogs particularly struggles and obstacles on my way to learning for good of my life. I had never achieved the fruit of learning in world of hatred and jealousy.