Education Media

The Education Media Section began as a small audio-visual support unit of CAPSD of the Department of Education in 1993. In the beginning, this unit besides offering photographic services also started the “Education Calling Teachers” radio program mainly targeting students and teachers in remote schools. Slowly, after acquiring very basic video equipment like the VHS camera and linear (manual) visual and sound editing systems, the unit started visual coverage of educational activities mostly to keep records of events and happenings and to develop some kind of an audio-visual archive. Then shortly after the BBS started its first television program in mid-1999, the Education Media (the erstwhile Audio-Visual Section of CAPSD) also slowly started contributing educational programs for broadcasts commensurate with the existing staff strength and facilities.

Television in Bhutan was inaugurated on 2^nd June, 1999 to commemorate 25 years of His Majesty’s enthronement. At present, the daily BBS television programs consist of four hours of topical programs and the usual news in Dzongkha and English and the usual radio broadcasts. Both the television and radio are strong media tools and their effects can be far reaching particularly on young impressionable minds depending on the type and quality of the programs. Although at present, Bhutan Television is available only in Thimphu, it will soon expand to include viewers in other parts of the country. When the BBS starts its nationwide telecast in the not too distant future, it will be a brilliant opportunity for the Education Ministry to make use of this medium in providing our teachers and students with educational programs that will support and supplement the value education programs and greatly contribute to enriching and enhancing the teaching and learning process in the schools.

Program broadcasts on BBS TV and Radio can be of great benefit to our people as programs will be more relevant and focused to our needs. Besides, the major portion of the BBS broadcast being done in the national language, will be an added advantage allowing more people to easily relate and adapt to the programs. With the proliferations and rising influence of foreign TV channels, it will also be a challenge to woo our audiences with programs that will not only be competitive but are also thoroughly wholesome and entertaining.

The production and telecasting of such educational films will go a long way in educating our target group, i.e. our students and teachers but will also benefit a large section of our populace by going into quality video and radio productions which will not only be educational but wholesome and entertaining both in content and quality.

Besides offering technical support to the various Divisions and Departments under the Ministry, the following are the main aims and objectives of the unit:

1. To enrich the teaching and learning process through broadcast of specialized or model lessons of select master teachers.

2. Foster closer links between schools and the communities by providing news and information about education and schools.

3. Promote information and raise awareness on relevant youth issues for the benefit of both youth and parents.

4. Keep teachers informed of the policies and events taking place in the education sector.

Once the Education Media expands in terms of manpower and equipment and its capacity, it has the potential of producing a wide range of educational programs, some of which could include:

4. General programs to supplement subjects (environment, science, history, geography etc.).

8. Case studies/panel discussions on issues and problems related to youth behavior.

It is an established fact that the Education Media is constrained in parts due to shortage of technical staff and some essential media equipment (this will be discussed later). Once the additional requirement of staff and equipment (which is not substantial) are mitigated, the Unit has the potential to produce quality programs and in much greater frequency. Education TV can first begin with one education program a month on a pilot basis for a few months. If this is successful, we could gradually increase the programs without compromising the quality and content of the programs. However, the frequency and quality of the programs would largely depend on the deployment/recruitment of additional staff and the availability of equipment and facilities as may be required by the Unit to accommodate the additional programs in their work roster system. If all the requirement of the Education Media is expeditiously met, the Education Media can guarantee at least one education program telecast a week without fail. The following areas may be explored by the Ministry to strengthen the Media Unit:

Sl.No.	Designation	Total
1.	Head	1
2.	Technician/Cameraman	1
3.	Program Producer (English)	1
4.	Program Producer (Dzongkha)	1

Out of the 4 existing staff, only two are trained (serial No.2 & 3). The Visual section has at present one cameraman who fills in as cameraman, soundman, editor and producer. The Ministry cannot expect much output from those staff who have not acquired any training in the relative fields they are supposed to engage in. Therefore, it is imperative that the ones who are not trained may be immediately considered for short trainings in their related areas of work. Also as per the approved RCSC staff strength, there is provision for six staff which is a prerequisite for any small audio-visual unit to function on a normal basis, let alone effectively. Therefore, the Ministry may immediately consider requisitioning for the following staff to the RCSC for immediate appointment:

There should be an Education Media Steering Committee comprising of the four Directors , the Heads of both the Media Units of Education Media and the BBS to discuss and decide on all educational program productions. This committee shall meet once every two months. However, emergency meetings can be called as and when required. This same committee will preside over previews or premiers of completed educational productions with a minimum wastage of time and resources in order to meet telecast deadlines and schedules.