Nangchoe programme, intended to keep youth away from undesirable habits such as excessive screen time and substance abuse during the long winter break, is serving beyond its purpose. In Gyalpozhing, Monggar, the two-week long programme helped children enhance their dzongkha language skills.
The day begins with prayers, and soelkha offering followed by meditation.
Later in the day, children engage in other activities such as lessons on basic driglam namzha, recitation of Buddhist scriptures, and practising spelling and handwriting.
14-year-old Ritesh Subba is among the 70 children taking part in the programme at Gyalpozhing.
Now attending the programme for the second time, he says reading complex Buddhist scriptures has become easier.
“I am not very good at dzongkha subject. After attending the programme here, I learned how to spell and pronounce difficult words. There are many complex words in prayers, which I encountered for the first time, and now I know how to read and write such words, giving me the opportunity to do better in dzongkha.”
This year, the programme was limited to students from classes 4 to 10 for maximum efficiency.
Tashi Jigme Choden, a participant said, “I think it will help us read and write Dzongkha properly compared to how we used to do in the past, and also, since we learn Gyalsey Laglen, I think it will benefit us because the programme has lots of relevance to the subject. It also enhances our social skills, changing our lives for the better.”
Pelden Drukdra Yoesel, another participant said, “At school, we were unable to pronounce and use Dzongkha words properly, and after attending the programme, I can do it better, because the facilitator here taught us how to spell and pronounce some of the complex words. When I go back to school, I think I can do better in dzongkha subject.”
Similarly, Tshering Yuden said, “At first, I thought it would be hard to read and pronounce Dzongkha words, but I improved a lot after attending the programme.”
The lam of Gyalpozhing Lhakhang and the principal of Kuenphen Yoesel Choling Zherim Lobdra along with two monks facilitate the programme introduced last year in Monggar.
Namgay Wangchuk, Lam of Kuenphen Yoesel Choling Zherim Lobdra said, “We realized that students have difficulty in reading. We had reading session last year also but writing was incorporated this year only. Otherwise, the entire programme schedule and agenda are same as any Nangchoe programme. Moreover, students are requesting us to teach them some of the Dzongkha curriculum that they learn in school. Even parents are supportive of it.”
Kinley Pelzom, who is a parent said, Influenced by YouTube and other online contents, children usually communicate in English language every day. That is how they do well in English. Teachers tell us that our children are weak in Dzongkha and that is genuine. So, the nangchoe programme, which is dzongkha centric, is helping children read and write Dzongkha better.
Furthermore, in response to request from the students and parents, the organisers plan to incorporate some dzongkha curriculum including Gyalsay Laglen and dzongkha grammar into the programme, in the next edition.
The Central Monastic Body first initiated the programme in 2016 as a must-attend event for youths aged 4 to 20 years old during the winter break.
The initiative not only keeps youth meaningfully engaged during vacations but also enhances their comprehension and knowledge of the dzongkha language.
Namgay Wangchuk, Monggar
