Along with a teacher resource center to organise professional development programs
Skills: To impart skills and improve the living standard of its residents, a community-learning centre (CLC) has been established in Phuntshothang gewog in Samdrupcholing dungkhag.
The centre, which was opened on July 31, will provide livelihood, literacy and decision making skills to help participants become independent and self-reliant.
Dzongkhag education officer (DEO) Rinchen Gyeltshen said the livelihood skills comprise of tailoring, IT course, carpentry, embroidery and a library while literacy skills will focus on maintaining note sheet and drafting agreements. In the life skills, participants would be trained on decision making, dealing with emotions, critical and creative thinking, marketing and negotiation.
But the participants, Rinchen Gyeltshen said would be those who have completed a post literacy course, which is taken after completing non-formal education.
Those who have completed at least class VII, lay monks, nuns and retired civil servants but have also done their post literacy course are also eligible to enroll in the CLC.
Set up in the multi-skill technician hall of Phuntshothang middle secondary school, the CLC has already enrolled 14 women participants.
“CLC is the first of its kind in Samdrupjongkhar and was opened in Phuntshothang based on the number of participants and beneficiaries,” the DEO said. Samdrupcholing is 67km from Samdrupjongkhar
He added that through livelihood skills, the community would be able to generate income.
Along with the CLC, a Teacher Resource Centre (TRC) was also opened the same day, making it the third in the dzongkhag. The TRC according to the DEO would serve as a centre for any kind of training or professional development programs for the teachers in the dungkhag.
The centre would also have stationaries and Internet facilities for teachers.
Department of Adult and Higher Education’s director general Tshewang Tandin, and Samdrupjongkhar dzongdag, Goling Tshering inaugurated the centres.
Meanwhile, a Nu 200,000 worth chukhor mani (water prayer wheel) was also inaugurated at Agurrung Chu. A local resident Tshering Dargay had constructed the prayer wheel in dedication to the 60th birth anniversary of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.
Yangchen C Rinzin,  Samdrupjongkhar