Masters Raydi, Kuenlay, Wangyal and Misses Tashi and Karma

Or as we call them in the staff room, “the wise old men”. They are in Class N(c) so let me explain why I am grading their report.

In everything from school sports, to debates to academic performance, these five students from Class N(c) are the main rivals of Class N(a). For example, Master Kuenlay leads the N(c) team in legal debates while Master Wangyal leads the economic debates. Master Raydi is the one who feeds the information and study aids. Misses Karma Damcho and Tashi Wangmo are known to be the fiery shrews, vital for carrying the rest of the Class N(c) with “the wise old men”.

They are not really liked by their classmates because they are said to have been admitted to the school without proper entrance exams like the others. However, I have noticed that the general dislike and resentment does not stop the classmates from using “the wise old men” when it suits them. Very often I have seen some or all of these five students come leading their classmates to fights with my Class N(a) students. Foolhardy. They are always outnumbered and beaten. In debates and academics N(c) seems to have the upper hand but in physical activity N(a) is too strong. In youthful student life, unfortunately numbers mean everything. Sadly “the wise old men” and Class N(c) don’t have numbers.

As school year end approaches, other students are found desperately doing last minute work to get to the next term. These five sit smug in the knowledge they will not need their mark-sheets for admissions. Instead they spend their time taking gifts to their “grandfather” who will help secure their admissions again.