Pic source: Google |
February is a time
when people in the villages have plenty of time to rest and relax. It is a time to relax and have fun the village
ways playing archery, Khuru and Doegor during the festive month. Not anymore.
Today, it is not a
festive month. It has become a haunting month for parents who have children studying
in classes ten and twelve. Although, the calendar’s most coveted festival; that
of traditional New Year is overshadowed by the performances of children who
appeared Bhutan’s common examinations.
So many dreams are
broken this month and so many young souls are left crestfallen when the results
of classes 10 and 12 were declared. Some are driven to drugs and alcohol from
which they can never return to normality. Some are pushed to bankruptcy for
which they will remain indebted for years to lenders.
The scenes are more
of pain and frustrations than happiness. Parents are jittery looking for money
to ensure the fulfillment of the desires of their children. Children are often
oblivious of the reality. Already most parents have resorted to various means
to have their children educated by now.
Few are spared the
need to worry of their children’s education. Some are exceptionally good at
studies and handful are economically well off to be able to comfortably send
their children to good government colleges and schools. For majority, it is
still a painful time. Many farmers cannot send their children to private
schools even when the desire for education still burns in those young souls.
T heir little land
to avail education loan for their children. Already people are exploiting
various means to make life easier for their children
Some have yielded
to pressures from their children, parents and relatives, yet others have to go
knocking o the doors of those who have. For these categories of parents, to be freed
from the shackles of the issue will remain not just a daunting task but one
that will haunt for many years.
I saw many parents
pour their frustrations. Some are being just casual of their high marks but most
others are just the opposite. They toil, they work hard and the situation
demands them to perform even better, not for their sake but, for the sake of
their children.
Gyembo Namgyal
February 12, 2015
11:58 PM
I agree with you Gyembo sir. Especially the rural mass must be suffering from ngultrum crunch.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I could see the difficulties embedded in the faces of village folks at this time of the year. Thanks.
ReplyDelete