Gender sensitivity in pedagogical practices in secondary education in Bhutan

The terrain of gender inequities in education has seen many changes in recent times. The purpose of the study was to find out the gender sensitivity in pedagogical practices in secondary education in Bhutan. The study was qualitative and used non-probability convenient sampling techniques. The study used classroom observations to gain the first-hand experience of a normal classroom and focus group discussions with teachers and students to get in-depth views. The classroom observation and focus group discussion data were analysed using the process of emerging themes. The study revealed that teachers were not gendered sensitive in pedagogical practices in the secondary education level. There were challenges in understanding gender in education both by teachers and students. There was neither gender awareness nor conscious effort made by teachers to address gender inequality in the classroom. A gender-responsive education that supports the realization of student full potential requires the teachers to practice gender-sensitive pedagogy. To address the issue, there is an immediate need for gender awareness and sensitization among teachers and school leaders. Teacher education colleges should introduce modules such as gender and education or gender and development so that the classroom environment is gender-sensitive and gender friendly. &nbsp

G-Task: Proposal for Development of a Freelancing Android Based Mobile Application in Bhutan

with the increase in the number of youth every year, unemployment has become a concern in the country. The existing job portal does not seem to address the needs of job seekers who do not have adequate qualifications, as they are often found at home unemployed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop a G-task app which is an android-based online recruitment system allowing job seeker to post and/or search for short term works. The application will help in presenting job seekers’ skills and hence create job opportunities for themselves. A Prototyping Model is used for the software development of this proposed system

Entrepreneurship Education in Bhutan: Perception, Culture and Challenges

The present study was undertaken to determine the perception of Bhutanese students towards entrepreneurship and the influence of entrepreneurship in their career choice by a team of lecturers from Samtse College of Education and a teacher from the Samtse Higher Secondary School. It was a multifaceted research involving survey, interviews, focus group interviews and document analysis. The samples include 921 students [19 diploma, 248 undergraduate, 654 school students (460=HSS & 194=MSS)], currently studying in the schools, colleges and VTIs under Samtse, Chhukha and Thimphu Dzongkhags. The major findings include: perception of students is inclined more towards entrepreneurship second to government jobs, students and parents are aware of the increasing unemployment scenario in Bhutan, minimal focus on entrepreneurship education in the school and university level curriculum, and the pedagogical practices doesnot adequately favour entrepreneurship knowledge and skill development. Some of the recommendations are a need to include entrepreneurship education in the school curriculum right from primary education, and to disseminate information related to entrepreneurship among students in all the schools and colleges

Meaningful employment opportunities for youth with disabilities in Bhutan: piloting an employment assessment toolkit

This article presents the adaptation of a screening tool to help young persons with disabilities understand what they may need to do in in order to move closer to meaningful work. Using critical capabilities approach, we developed a toolkit to support the transition process from home, school, or other setting to formal or informal employment in Bhutan. Community Inclusion Coordinators were recruited to mentor 40 participants to gain confidence, appropriate work skills to get closer to being work-ready. We also evaluated the efficacy and utility of the toolkit which revealed that some of the participants valued having honest and open conversations about personal and professional issues

Data from: Genetic diversity and population structure of three traditional horse breeds of Bhutan based on 29 DNA microsatellite markers

The genetic variability and population structure of three Bhutanese traditional horse breeds were assessed through genotyping of 74 horses (Boeta 25, Sharta 14 and Yuta 35) for 29 microsatellite DNA loci. Altogether, 282 alleles were detected across 29 polymorphic loci. The allelic diversity (NE) (Boeta 4.94; Sharta 4.65; Yuta 5.30) and gene diversities (HE) (Boeta 0.78; Sharta 0.77; Yuta 0.79) were high. None of the breeds deviated significantly from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There was no sign of significant population bottleneck for all the breeds. The inbreeding estimates (FIS) of the breeds were low (Boeta 0.023; Sharta 0.001; Yuta 0.021). Analysis of molecular variance showed 0.6% of the total genetic variation among breeds, 1.9% among individuals and 97.5% within individuals. The global FIT, FST, and FIS estimates for the population were 0.025, 0.006 and 0.019 respectively. The analysis of population structure failed to distinguish subpopulations in traditional horses and this was supported by a high genetic exchange among the breeds. Overall, the results of this study suggest a rich genetic diversity in the traditional horse despite a very low genetic differentiation among the breeds in Bhutan

Reimagining the Purpose of Vocational Education and Training: Perspectives of Bhutanese TVET practitioners on online teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which emphasises inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all was achieved by online teaching even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, online education helped reduce the cost of education, making it more accessible to individuals who might not be able to afford traditional brick-and-mortar schools. So the study was conducted in the midst of online teaching during the pandemic to assess the perceptions of the TVET practitioners and the students. The aim of this study was to conduct an online survey to learn more about how teachers and students perceived and experienced online classrooms. In response to the present pandemic situation, the general educational system also modified itself to include the delivery of classes via online means. Thus, this survey describes Technical Training Institute teachers’ and students’ perceptions and concerns with regard to taking online classes that have been made mandatory in the wake of COVID-19. The sample consisted of 10 trainers and 119 trainees from Technical Training Institute Samthang in Wangdue Phodrang. An online survey method (google forms) was used for data collection. The findings show that little more than 27% believed online teaching is effective. It is also reported that the negative aspect of online teaching is attributed to the low level of knowledge transfer (38%), less structured than classroom teaching (53%), challenging to clarify doubt (53%), and teacher designing teaching learning materials were not interesting with 78%. Overwhelming, 76% of the participants believed that the technical issue majorly disrupts the flow and pace of online teaching. Notably, most participants (69%) thought online education saved time. The study also brought up major challenges with the validity of the assessment system during online education

Data from: Genetic diversity and population structure of three traditional horse breeds of Bhutan based on 29 DNA microsatellite markers

The genetic variability and population structure of three Bhutanese traditional horse breeds were assessed through genotyping of 74 horses (Boeta 25, Sharta 14 and Yuta 35) for 29 microsatellite DNA loci. Altogether, 282 alleles were detected across 29 polymorphic loci. The allelic diversity (NE) (Boeta 4.94; Sharta 4.65; Yuta 5.30) and gene diversities (HE) (Boeta 0.78; Sharta 0.77; Yuta 0.79) were high. None of the breeds deviated significantly from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There was no sign of significant population bottleneck for all the breeds. The inbreeding estimates (FIS) of the breeds were low (Boeta 0.023; Sharta 0.001; Yuta 0.021). Analysis of molecular variance showed 0.6% of the total genetic variation among breeds, 1.9% among individuals and 97.5% within individuals. The global FIT, FST, and FIS estimates for the population were 0.025, 0.006 and 0.019 respectively. The analysis of population structure failed to distinguish subpopulations in traditional horses and this was supported by a high genetic exchange among the breeds. Overall, the results of this study suggest a rich genetic diversity in the traditional horse despite a very low genetic differentiation among the breeds in Bhutan

The Impacts of Mining on Livelihood and Development in Nyoenpaling Chiwog under Phuntshopelri Gewog, Samtse

<p><i><strong>Abstract</strong></i><strong>—</strong> <i>Mining plays a key role in facelifting the economic status of the people of its catchment area and nation particularly for developing countries, and Bhutan is no exception. In Bhutan mining provides employment and livelihood to a good number of people. Nyoenpaling Chiwog under Phuntshopelri Gewog, Samtse has been an important mining site for limestone, and dolomite since a few decades ago and will be hereafter too. However, the contribution of mining activity to livelihood and development is unclear today. So, there is a need for a thorough study on the impact of mining in Nyoenpaling Chiwog. The objective of this paper is to document the impact of mining in mining catchment areas. The data were collected from mining site localities through a mixed-method research approach. The study reveals that local people are not very positive about having mining sites in their area. There is an indication that local people are not benefiting as expected. The responses of residents suggest that adequate infrastructure development like a paved transport network, safe drinking water, bridge, and river embankment could ease their living in the area. Therefore, the study aims to explore the possibility of addressing these issues by concerned stakeholders. Addressing these issues can have a greater positive impact on the livelihood of people living here.</i></p&gt

Mode-shift analysis of genetic bottleneck in Bhutanese traditional horse breeds.

<p>Mode-shift analysis of genetic bottleneck in Bhutanese traditional horse breeds.</p