The Minister of Education visited Tsirangtoe Lower Secondary
School on February 14, 2017.
Meeting with the students, His Excellency talked about "the
importance of trying". Lyenpo narrated a story about a little Raven called Gyelsay. Indeed, the story was self-modified
version of an ancient Jataka tale from India-“The Brave Little Parrot”.
Lyenpo narrated that, upon seeing a forest fire catastrophe,
little Gyelsay flew towards the river and carried some water in his beak and
dropped into the flames of raging fire. It vanished with a hiss, but Gyelsay
continued it several times. His feathers became charred now.
His Excellency has set a climax of his story with the appearance
of the entire animals in the forest. The animals thought, “Why this little Gyelsay,
in his infinite wisdom, fighting a losing battle?” The Gyelsay rejoined
impatiently, “I am trying my best.” The entire animals got inspired by the commitment
of the little Gyelsay. Everyone tried. Everyone worked. They were able to
control the raging fire.
Citing some personal experiences about how His Excellency
became expert four-ball-juggler and a scriptwriter of twenty plus Bhutanese
movies, he said that the secret is “the little Gyelsay”. He added that every
time, whenever he feels like to renounce or relinquish, he hears the Gyelsay whispering,
“Give a try”.
In a separate meeting with the teachers, His Excellency urged
teachers to craft our children with skills and abilities to face the realities
of twenty-first century world. He tinted on three key skills that our children
must possess when they grow up: Create, Collaborate and Communicate.
Lyenpo also shared some of the visions of the Education
Ministry. He over and over again mentioned that the school, curriculum and the
teachers are the core of education system.
The ministerial visit was the first time at Tsirangtoe Lower Secondary School in
the last ten years.
