The National Online Dzongkha Learning platform on Educare Skill will soon be extended to students up to class six. The platform is currently available for students up to class three. A recent report on the pilot phase of the initiative highlighted that it received appreciation from the general public and support from the education ministry.
During the piloting phase from August to October last year, it saw over 35,000 registrations. More than 11,000 were active users, meaning they paid for the service and viewed the content. As of today, there are over 36,000 registrations and a little less than 20,800 active users.
After the pilot phase, a subscription fee has been fixed. It ranges from 100 to 200 per month per user depending upon the number of users.
The pricing model ensures that as the number of subscribers increases, the monthly fee decreases.
With the inclusion of content for students up to class six in the next phase, the platform is expected to benefit almost 1,18,000 children.
“After the completion of the three-month piloting month, Educare Skill has completed developing content for up to sixth grade and we are in the process of reviewing it,” said Ugyen Dorji, Chief Language Development Officer, Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development.
There are plans to expand the initiative to students of classes seven to twelve with more advanced Dzongkha content.
“To learn and promote Dzongkha, from this year we are working on developing content for classes seven to twelve. Moreover, to ensure contents promote Dzongkha, the DCDD technically reviews it,” said Tharchen, CEO of Educare Skill.
Individuals accessing the platform said that as the platform has already been helpful, the inclusion of new content would further help promote Dzongkha.
“Educare Skill helps me in learning Dzongkha way better and even letter writing at my school,” said Karma Lhaki Demath, a student in Thimphu.
“When we teach the children, nowadays children are having difficulties in learning Dzongkha, so the main importance of Educare is that it comes with pictures, videos, stories, rhymes, then read aloud, which is very helpful for children,” said Sonam Dema, a teacher in Thimphu.
While the report emphasised the registration process being tedious and confusing, and sign-in limited only to one device, the developers said that all the issues have been resolved.
There are also plans to develop content related to STEM subjects, especially for class ten students in the coming years. An annual national-level Dzongkha essay writing competition will also be organised to support the initiative.
The platform, a collaborative effort of the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development and iBest Institute and Consultancy was launched in February last year to provide engaging educational digital content in Dzongkha.
Jamyang Loday
Edited by Kipchu
