Bhutan is one of the happiest countries on earth. Its government gives more importance to Gross National Happiness than Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, the teachers are not happy as they do not have good condition. Bhutan is now seriously suffering from the scarcity of Math and Physics teachers. At present, there are only a handful of qualified Bhutanese teachers teaching these two courses. Now, Bhutanese government is hiring teachers from India. In order to retain and attract more teachers from India, the education ministry of Bhutan has decided to introduce a new allowance. I am quoting from the report published in Kuenselonline:
New teachers in the two subjects from India received the allowance from the beginning of the academic session this year. The allowance was clubbed with the 30 percent contract allowance which is paid to Indian teachers over and above the basic salary.”
According to Tshewang Tandin, director, department of education, this is a short term measure. This allowance would remain until there are enough teachers. The main problem is teaching as a job in Bhutan is not very attractive. The Indian teachers have more opportunities in the market. The Bhutanese teachers are very upset with this decision. They were not included when this decision was taken. They also have the same work load yet they are not given any incentives. According to them, this scarcity of teachers will not go away within short time.
Bhutan is a small country and until now, it has tried its best to separate itself from the rest of the world. Now days, the country is trying its best to embrace the modern technology and industrialization. Compared to other South Asian countries, Bhutan observed an 8% growth in its economy in 2005 and 14% in 2006. In order to compete in the present day world, the country requires educated and skilled people. Western style education was introduced in Bhutan in 1907. I hope that this decision by the education ministry works well or else the country will face serious trouble in future.
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