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In an encouraging development, the Union Territory of Ladakh has been commended by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, for reaching new heights in the recently released Performance Rating Index 2020-21.
Improving its score from 545 (out of 1000) in 2019-20 to 844 in 2020-21, Ladakh has made a remarkable jump from 299 points. Go from level 8 to level 4 in a year.
The PGI structure consists of 1,000 points across 70 indices. According to the NDTV report, “The 70 indicators are again grouped into two categories – Outcomes and Governance Management (GM). These categories are further subdivided into five areas – Learning Outcomes (LO), Access (A), Infrastructure and Facilities (IF), Equity (E) and Operation Governance (GP).”
There are quite a number of reasons why Ladakh has made such an extraordinary leap.
Among the reasons not preached was the teachers’ dedication to the cause of improving schooling outcomes in the Union Territory. While some are building better school infrastructure in the most disadvantaged parts of the region, others are introducing new teaching methods. They bridge the gender gap and give school students hope for better prospects after graduation.
Here are some of the teachers from Ladakh who have made a difference in the lives of their students.
Muhammad Ali
In August 2021, Muhammad Ali received the National Teachers Award for transforming the lives of his students at the Government Preparatory School in Karith Shargole, a remote village in Kargil district.
He was specifically recognized for his innovative initiative to create subject-specific classrooms to enable further learning in languages (English and Urdu), science and other subjects for students from Class 1 to Class 8 – along with his work in COVID relief and community organization as Acting Chief Teacher.
My goal as a teacher is not just to help students get high marks in exams. I want them to learn for life. I want them to acquire knowledge and skills that can be useful to them even as adults. Also, I don’t think we should put pressure on our kids because of the labels. This is not a way to really learn. After all, not every child can come first in class,” says Ali.
Sonam Gyaltsan
Since taking over as principal of the Government Middle School, Taknak, in Sakti village (approx 50km from Leh) in March 2016, Sonam Gylatsan has worked wonders. Sonam has been awarded the National Teachers Award in 2020, as he has crafted the exemplary public school system success story by working closely with the people of Sakti village.
From raising the standard of teaching to moving and rebuilding the school, to starting a bus service with his own money, to creating subject-specific classrooms rich in materials, he raised enrollment from four students in 2016 to more than 100 just three years later.
He also helped students register for better and affordable secondary education, organized extensive teacher training courses for his teachers, and established a residential hostel for students. Such was his popularity in Sekkati that village representatives and an elected local councilor went to the Department of Education and forbade his transfer.
“On behalf of all the villagers and parents, I once again congratulate Sonam sir for the wonderful work he has done for us,” says Tashi Namgyal, a parent and resident of Sakti whose three children are taught at the model school.
Mohammad Jabir
Just a year after Muhammed Ali was awarded the National Teachers Award, his classmate Muhammed Jaber, who had been teaching at the Government Preparatory School in Kareth for the past two years, received the same award. Jaber, a senior teacher of English and environmental studies at Carrett Middle School, has found innovative ways to teach.
According to the citation on the Ministry of Education’s website, “According to children’s psychology, he used the ‘clap while learning’ technique to teach English phonetics, grammar, and vocabulary. Taking ‘joyful learning’ as his philosophy, he experimented with innovative teaching methods, such as prose singing strategy, language learning body, teaching via logo technique, language games, outdoor teaching, and role-playing. He also trained teachers of other schools on these innovations.”
Moving forward, he played a pivotal role in ensuring his students’ education remained uninterrupted in the early pandemic period when schools were closed.
During this time, he was also doing workshops and seminars for parents on digital literacy. In addition, he has trained teachers on how to use the internet and access online tools to teach via WhatsApp.
Upon receiving the award, he said on Facebook, “It is our duty to prepare every (child) to build their dream India by 2047 or earlier (when India celebrates 100 years of independence).
Stanzen Saldon, also known as Healing
as founder ZambaShifa, a Cargill-based charity registered in 2017, has worked extensively in education, adolescent health and youth leadership.
Thanks to her pioneering work with government schools in Kargil, teenage girls have given up their inhibitions in talking about menstrual health. The students (boys and girls) also improved their levels of reading and comprehension of the English language. Her work has also elevated social and emotional learning in these schools by working closely with teachers and local administration, as well as helping to craft creative study materials for students.
In addition, the work she did in the initial phase of the epidemic is also worth mentioning.
In a dark area of the internet, it startedKhangurtsa Yonatan‘, which is a door-to-door project-based learning initiative with volunteer facilitators. It also conducted community classes once the lockdown restrictions were lifted. She says, “Despite our work so far, it looks like we’re just getting started. There’s still a long way to go.”
Tsering Tashi
Tsering Tashi is the first scientist from Ladakh to work for the prestigious Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). He is also the founder of the Ladakh Science Foundation (LSF), a charitable foundation.
LSF has played a pivotal role not only in promoting science across various schools in Ladakh, but also in helping students from low-income families to secure government scholarship schemes. She has also helped her students get into some of the leading institutions in this country.
Earlier this month, LSF announced that more than 1,600 students from the district had registered with them for counseling and mentoring, for admission through the PMSSS (Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Program) scholarship in the 2022-2023 academic year.
Thanks to their advice and guidance, more than 400 students from the district have gained admission through PMSSS into professional courses (Engineering, Nursing, Pharmacy, Hotel Management, etc.) and general courses (BA, B.Com, B.Sc, etc.). Also, more than 100 students are expected to pass through Delhi/Central Universities, IIT/NIT, etc. Each student managed to win scholarships ranging from Rs 3.9 lakh to Rs 9 lakh, according to the results published by LSF.
Tsering Tashi says, “If I can study in a state school and reach this level in my life, others can do the same and reach higher levels. Our children should get opportunities and exposure so that they can benefit greatly, and go very far.”
Suffice it to say, this list may have left out some important teachers. However, it is intended to highlight their work and inspire the current group of school teachers in Ladakh, as well as those looking to join this noble profession or make a difference in other ways.
If we had more teachers, mentors and mentors who invested in the future of our students, it would be a good thing for the country and this nation.
(Edited by Pranita Bhatt)
(Feature above from left to right: Muhammad Ali, Sonam Gyaltsan, and Muhammad Jabir)
sources:
“PGI 2020-21: Ministry of Education commends Baldach for setting a new standard in education” By Mridusmita Deka; posted by NDTV Education On November 6, 2022
“Ladakhi Principal, Villagers Convert Rundown Govt School Into Model Institute” by Rinchen Norbu Wangchuk; Posted by The Better India on October 14, 2020
“Muhammad Ali’s Unique Teaching Methods Are a Model for All of Ladakh” by Rinchen Norbu Wangchuck; Posted by The Better India on Sep 18, 2021
“Agent of Hope: How One Woman’s Faith Is Uplifting Thousands of Children in Kargil” by Rinchen Norbu Wangchuck; Posted by The Better India on December 31, 2021
“First ISRO Scholar in Ladakh Helping 700+ Village Children Study in India’s Best Colleges!” Written by Rinchen Norbu Wangchuck; Posted by The Better India on July 17, 2019
“Mohammed Jaber of Cargill Selected for National Teacher Prize 2022”; posted by Ladakh voice On August 27, 2022
“National Award Winning Teachers” (2022); bulletin The Ministry of EducationGovernment of India
Tsering Tashi, Ladakh Science Foundation page Twitter And Facebook
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