With the opening of the early childhood care and development (ECCD) centre in Bikhar Lower Secondary School, parents of three chiwogs of Samkhar Gewog in Trashigang are happy that they will no longer have to take their children with them in the fields.
The centre will benefit the children of Bikhar_Domkhar, Khabti_Lungten Zampa and Kapang _Yenangdrangsa chiwogs.
“While we work on our farms, we don’t have a proper place to keep our children, we either have to take with us in the fields or keep them with our neighbours. During weekends, we ask our school-going children to look after their younger siblings. But now, with the new ECCD centre it will benefit us,” Tshewang Dema, from Bikhar, said.
“It is very difficult to work on farms with our children. But we are happy that we now have an ECCD centre for our children,” Phurpa Tenzin, also from Bikhar, said.
The parents also added that they are aware of the importance of children’s early education and its benefits.
The newly opened centre has 44 children aged between 3 to 6 years from the three chiwogs. The centre is established with funds from the education ministry and Samkhar Gewog.
Trashigang Dzongkhag has a total of 31 ECCD centres. 12 more ECCD centres will be opened in dzongkhag in 2019-20 fiscal year.
Sonam Darjay
