The dawn of the 21st century heralded the revolution in knowledge economy. In the present age, knowledge economies address how information and ideas are created, used, circulated and adapted at an accelerating speed in knowledge-based communities, i.e. networks of individuals striving to produce and circulate new knowledge. This is possible with the knowledge educators, i.e. the community of faculties. The faculties, who are guiding pillars of the knowledge economy, drive the education sector. Their role in shaping the economy and personality of students to take up the challenges is crucial.
The Bhutan National Legal Institute is primarily mandated to carryout pre and in-service training to the Judicial Service Personnel. It is also mandated to conduct the Post Graduate Diploma in National Law (PGDNL) and National Legal Course. Currently, the Institute highly depends upon the Supreme Court, the High Court and lower courts to resource the trainings, in addition to its limited human resource (Legal Officers). However, they are not trained to teach and facilitate trainings, besides their professional trainings. In order to deliver effectively they must be trained on skills and methodologies of pedagogy. Thus, the combined effect of the subject content and the appropriate methodology will yield highest level of teaching and learning satisfaction. Recognizing the importance of having the best trainers and teaching community, the Institute is conducting a three-day training on “Pedagogical Skills and Methodologies” in collaboration with the Royal Institute of Management (RIM). The training is funded by Austrian Development Agency (ADA) under the Justice Sector Programme. The participants include Justices from the Supreme Court and the High Court, Judges and Court Registrars from the Thimphu District Court, Court Registrars from the Supreme Court and High Court and Legal Officers from the Institute. Some of them are currently serving as the Adjunct Faculties for PGDNL Course at RIM.
Pedagogy can mean the study of the theory and practice of education, but it can also refer to teaching children and young students in a personal, holistic way. In the latter sense, pedagogy might be regarded as the art of bringing up and offering basic education to children. Pedagogy in educational vernacular has gained currency as a substitute for methods of instruction or techniques of teaching. The etymological root of pedagogy is “pedagogue”, referring to and from school.
During the course of a three-day training, participants will be acquainted with various methods of instructions such as, teacher-centric or student centric learning, research-based learning, group simulation, role-plays, etc. including assessments and designing of the course. The outcome of this training is to enable and equip faculties with knowledge, skills and attitudes to manage the course and other judicial trainings. After attending the training, they will demonstrate the appropriate use of different teaching pedagogy, and acquaint with recent developments in teaching and research methods. Finally, they will be able to resolve problems at classroom situation and manage the sessions effectively by developing new sets of competency and skills. The training will conclude on 18 August 2021.