To commemorate the 60th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, 25 students of Draktsho Vocational Training Centre for Children with special needs took the scouts’ oath in Rongthung under Trashigang, yesterday.
The students with special needs are the first batch to be enrolled as scout members in the East. Although, there are close to 30,000 scout members in the country, only a handful of them are children with special needs.
“I did not even think we would be getting such an opportunity,” said a student of Draktsho Vocational Training Centre, Tandin Yangzom.
The Sherubtse Scouts Unit took the initiative to enroll them as scout’s member to mark the 60th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.
“There are seven teachers in Draktsho. So starting this winter we hope the Scouts office in Thimphu will train at least two to three teachers in basic scouting. By training them, it will benefit over 50 students here in Draktsho,” said Sherubtse Scouts Units’ Coordinator, Namgay Wangdi.
The members are expected to benefit through various scouting events that will be organised in the future. It will also provide them a platform to compete equally with other students, which they don’t get usually.
“Our physically and mentally challenged students face problems like unequal opportunities. By being a member of scouts, they will be able to help others who are facing similar problems,” said Draktsho Vocational Training Institute’s Principal, Karma Garab Dorji.
The children with special needs paid tribute to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo by taking part in fun games and cultural events.
