Students of Draktsho Vocational Training Centre in Kanglung will soon be able to do basic agriculture farming using modern machinery. The centre has started providing farming training as part of the Environmental Vocational Training programme. The programme is dedicated to those students who aren’t able to take up other vocational skills training the centre normally provides.
Until this year, the Centre provided only vocational skills training to help persons with disabilities become self-sustaining individuals.
Draktsho East has been providing vocational skills such as painting, tailoring, sculpture, weaving, and embroidery to people with disabilities.
However, starting this year, the centre has also started providing basic agriculture farming skills as part of the Environmental Vocational Training programme.
Depending on the students’ capacity, the centre also trained them in land management, using machines, greenhouse installation, and mushroom farming.
“This program is mainly focused on our students who could not catch up with the vocational skills in our centre. So, we have started the agriculture-related programme and will be giving farming skills to those who face difficulty in learning other skills in our centres,” said Karma Garab Dorji, the principal of Draktsho East, Trashigang.
Currently, eight students with the centre are learning agriculture and farming skills. They are being provided with both theoretical and practical sessions.
“Before, I didn’t know anything. But after reaching here in Draktsho, I have learned a lot. This time I learned how to make a greenhouse, and also when to grow a vegetable seed, and even how to use the power tiller. We have cultivated chilli, radish, and tomatoes in our greenhouse,” said Sonam, a student of Draktsho East, Kanglung.
The centre has around 3.5 acres of land for agriculture development and plans to start cultivating fruits and poultry farms in the future.
“My students find it difficult to learn vocational skills, so we have started the agriculture programme. Although I teach both theory and practical lessons they find it difficult to learn the theory. So, I focus more on practicals in the afternoon classes. It is easier for them to learn the skills in practical classes,” said Kinzang Chojay, a teacher at Draktsho East, Kanglung, Trashigang.
The principal said the curriculum of the Environmental Vocational Training programme is still in the process of development.
The centre has plans to support students who wish to start agriculture farming after completing the courses.
The programme worth USD 35,000 is funded by the Global Environment Facility under the United Nations Development Programme or UNDP’s small grant programme in partnership with the government.
The Draktsho Vocational Training Center for Special Children and Youth in Kanglung has 63 students.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Phub Gyem
