School rankings for 2010

Based on academic, enabling practice scorecard and gross national happiness scorecard Baging Community Primary School in Mongar, Gedu Higher Secondary School and Chukha Higher Secondary School in Chukha were declared among the 10 highest performing schools in 2010.

The school performance ranking was released on May 25 by the Department of Education, Ministry of Education.

The Performance Management System (PMS) was introduced in 2010 as a part of Performance Compact signed by the Ministry of Education with the Government to improve performance of schools in student learning outcomes, reducing repetition rates, promoting GNH education across all schools and enhancing teacher satisfaction.

According to a press release from the education ministry, PMS has been designed to help achieve Bhutan’s goals of universal access and providing quality education.

The PMS consists of three scorecards, academic learning, enabling practices in teaching and learning and achievements on GNH practices in the schools.

The press release states that with this ranking, it is possible to know precisely the performance of each level of schools across the country.

The practice of ranking schools was started in 2010 base on academic performance in 2009. The Ministry of Education intends to make this regular intervention till such time as the monitoring and performance review become a normal feature of the schools and their overall performance reaches a respectable level of integrity.

The top 10 schools of 2009 were Yarangla Community Primary Schools in Mongar, Dagor Community Primary School in Pemagtashel, Nobgang Community Primary School and Khuruthang Middle Secondary School in Punakha, Sunshine, Early Learning Centre, Phuensum Primary and Druk Schools in Thimphu, Nimshong Community Primary School in Trongsa, and Namchala Lower Secondary School in Dagana.

In the middle secondary standard, Kanglung Middle Secondary School (MSS), Trashigang Middle Secondary School, Rangjung and Jigme Sherubling Higher Secondary Schools (HSS) in Trashigang and Ugyen Academy in Punakha, Monggar HSS, Bayling HSS in Trashiyangtse, Yangchenphu in Thimphu, Nangkor HSS in Pemagatshel and Khangkhu MSS in Paro the top 10 schools.

And in the Higher Secondary Schools, the top 10 schools were Tashitse HSS in Trashigang, Yangchenphu and Motithang HSS in Thimphu , Drugyal HSS in Paro, Bayling HSS in Tashiyangtse, Bajo HSS in Wangdue, Phuentsholing HSS, Nangkor HSS in Pemagatshel, Monggar HSS and Gelephu HSS.

The following were the higher performing schools in the year 2010.

Tackling terrorism collectively

All anti-terrorism activities should be carried out with full respect for human rights and it is completely unacceptable to use torture.

This was one of the primary discussion points during the fourth regional workshop for police, prosecutors, and judges in South Asia.

The three-day workshop on effectively countering terrorism ended yesterday with significant outcomes, according to Mike Smith, the Executive Director of Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate.

Police officials, prosecutors, and judges from eight countries attended the workshop hosted by Bhutan in association with the United Nations Counter Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (UNCTED). Resource persons included representatives of the member states and representatives of several United Nations and international organizations including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, International Criminal Police Organization, and the Commonwealth. The SAARC Secretariat and the European Union also participated as observers.

Mike Smith said that terrorism is a phenomenon which very often has a regional character so it is important for the regions to come together.
In his opening address, the home minister of Bhutan, Lyonpo Minjur Dorji, said that the post 9/11 world terrorism is arguably one of the most serious challenges faced by the global community.

“It is a phenomenon that recognizes no boundaries, and often leaves little or no footprint, and harbours the singular intent of inflicting pain and destruction to as many innocent victims as possible,” said Lyonpo Minjur Dorji.
He added that no country in the world can today claim immunity from the scourge of terrorism and nearly all governments have been vociferous in their collective abhorrence of terrorism and terrorist acts.

The home minister said that regional and international cooperation and proactive law enforcement are important in combating terrorism in all its manifestations.
Asked what Bhutan should do to counter terrorism, Mike Smith said that Bhutan can first raise awareness on the issue and adopt appropriate legislation. The country should also ensure that the legalisation can successfully prosecute terrorists. He said Bhutan should also strengthen the border control.

Some of the issues discussed in the meeting included protection of eyewitnesses, charging people before the crime were committed, and having evidence from the intelligence and interviewing subjects.

According to a press statement from the foreign ministry, the purpose of the workshop was to raise awareness of the latest available legal regimes and investigation techniques among senior police officers, prosecutors, and judges in South Asia for countering terrorism and to enhance their capacities for combating terrorism.

The Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate carries out the policy decisions of the Counter Terrorism Committee of the United Nations Security Council which works to bolster the ability of the United Nations Member States to prevent terrorist acts both within their borders and across regions. The Directorate was established in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

The workshop was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the Centre on Global Counter Terrorism with the support of the governments of Australia and Denmark.

Silent but not dead

Thimphu: Lately there have been talks about gangs regrouping in Thimphu. Sights of boys roaming in the streets dressed similarly in groups are not new. But some of the residents say they have also seen group of boys indulged in fights even during broad daylight.

The recent arrest of 10 boys in Thimphu from a school, for involving in a gang fight during school hours has raised eyebrows.
It was said that the fight was a result of an unsettled fight which had earlier taken place.

“Have the police really been successful in disbanding the gangs or did they celebrate victory too fast?” questioned a concerned Thimphu resident.
“It was during one Sunday, I was walking in town when I suddenly felt tremors. I looked back and saw that a group of boys was chasing a boy. He nearly got hit by a vehicle but he kept on running,” said an eye witness who had seen a gang chase after a boy.

Eight months after the two notorious gangs in Thimphu, MB Boys and Shabji Bazaar Gang, signed a pledge to disband, the Anti Gang Squad said that they have not received any complaints of gangs other than the 10 students involved in a gang fight in school.

However, a resident of Shabji bazaar said that he had heard of a gang fight which occurred in his locality. Although he had not seen it personally he confirmed that it happened. “A group of boys had beaten up a boy in Thimphu, so the boy had asked his friends to back him up to take revenge. The other group had come all the way from Paro for the fight,” he said.

He said that such trend will keep happening until the two groups decide to settle thing mutually. “The ones who get hurt in a fight always keep looking for an opportunity to get back,” he said.

A former gang member said that some gangs did not disband and are still operating. He said that a few new gangs have also come into existence.

A group calling themselves F4D, fight for defence, is becoming powerful and creating problems according to sources. An officer from the Anti Gang Squad said that this is not a new gang.

There are talks about MB Boys being revitalized by the younger gang members but Kencho Chophel , the ex- leader of the gang said he was not aware of it. “They must be other boys using the name,” he said. He added that ever since the gang was disbanded he has not been in contact with most of his friends.

A new gang “Warriors,” is taking shape in Paro according to sources.
“The gangs have just been silent for a while, but they were never dead,” said another Thimphu resident.

Meanwhile, some of the prominent ex-members of the disbanded gangs are either employed, undergoing trainings or studying.

Happy Teachers Day!