The Non-Formal Education (NFE) graduates took part in the first-ever National Level Community Learning Centre (CLC) Exhibition and Fair in Thimphu to showcase their vocational skills in different fields.
The two-day fair, which ended today, was organised to observe International Literacy Day.
Ten categories of products such as tailoring, wooden products, hand-woven products, knitted products and embroidery products were displayed among others.
The CLC was initiated with the objective of imparting different skills to NFE graduates such as tailoring, embroidery, carpentry and other relevant skills. The centre also provides an opportunity to out of school youth, nuns, monks and anyone who is literate with an aspiration to learn vocational skills.
“Given the importance of literacy, Bhutan has also been observing the day. The programme was introduced to promote lifelong learning and also to engage productively out of school youth. It includes livelihood skills,” Jai Bir Rai, the Education Minister, said.
22 CLCs took part in the fair exhibiting the products made by the learners themselves.
“The initiative helps us achieve self-reliance and self-sufficiency. The programme further helps us sustain and improve our livelihood,” Choiney Rinchen, a Participant from Trashigang, said.
Besides vocational skills, the centre also aims to promote local wisdom, culture and values for community vitality by bringing people together.
“It is because of the non-formal education that I have been able to serve as the Tshogpa. Since both Dzongkha and English are taught in NFE classes, it is very convenient for me to work in an office now. It has enabled me to read, write, fill up forms and also participate in English related programmes as well,” Ugyen, the Dechenchholing Tshogpa of Thimphu Thromde, said.
The programme has so far benefited many learners with the establishment of their own tailoring shops and other businesses. It has also enabled individuals to create self-employment thereby improving their livelihood skills to earn and live a productive and meaningful life.
Today, there are more than 270 CLC learners with a majority of women learners.
Kinley Dem
