The District Education Sector of Punakha is waiting for approval from the Royal Civil Service Commission to recruit Early Childhood Care and Development facilitators. Ten new ECCD centres are waiting for facilitators. But for the new centre at Dochhukha-Dzomlingthang-Ritsa Chiwog in Guma Gewog, a Non-Formal Education instructor has volunteered to work as the facilitator until the recruitment takes place.
The new ECCD centre is located at Dzomlingthang. It was inaugurated on Monday. About 20 children from the Chiwog were enrolled. The centre will be functioning from Chiwog’s meeting hall.
Having the interest to facilitate children’s learning, Tshering Bidha has volunteered as a facilitator. She starts her work at the ECCD centre from nine in the morning till 1 PM and continues her regular NFE classes in the evening.
“My NFE students used to tell me that if the Chiwog gets an ECCD centre, it would be beneficial. I don’t have much work at home, and I thought it would benefit them if I started the centre,” said Tshering Bidha.
“Regarding the facilitator, she has attended training for about two weeks. But without any official order from the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, she will not be getting her salary,” said Dawa Gyeltshen, Dochhukha-Dzomlingthang-Ritsa Tshogpa.
And this initiative has brought joy to the parents.
“We have to work in the field and when we take our children with us, they face difficulty as they cannot stay under the sun and rain. Moreover, if we keep them at home, one of us has to stay at home. This has been affecting our work,” said Pasang Dorji, a parent.
When we enrol our children in the ECCD centre, they can learn life skills and gain knowledge,” said Kinley Yangdon, another parent.
Currently, Punakha district has 22 ECCD centres with 26 facilitators.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Tshering Zam
