The dream of getting basic education for many Merak yak herders will soon materialise with a non-formal education (NFE) program soon to start in the gewog.

“There’s no problem in implementing it but we need a list of 12 participants,” said the Trashigang dzongkhag education officer, Dorji Pasang. The villagers had requested restarting the NFE program in their gewog, Merak, at a meeting with sector heads of Trashigang. Keen to learn English, the villagers also asked for an instructor, who has a good command over English.

At a meeting with about 600 brokpas in Merak last week, the National Assembly Speaker Jigme Tshultim said: “Education is the right of every child and it’s the responsibility of parents and the government to ensure that they’re given the opportunity.” They mandated that every child should receive compulsory education up to the eighth standard.

Speaking on the importance of education, the speaker said that, for a better Merak, the education of its people is most essential. “Without education your children will struggle for a livelihood and lose the means to live better lives.”

The speaker also offered to half sponsor a class twelve student for higher studies in Darjeeling, India. “The boy could replace me after he completes his studies and serve the nation and his community in any capacity he chooses,” said the Tshogpon.

The villagers also agreed to devote a portion of their share of the Constituency development fund to sponsor the education of similar class X and XII students, who fail to qualify for government colleges in the country.

The Tshogpon also visited identified plots for the construction of a private college and a teacher’s training college above the Tokshingmang community primary school.

Source: Kuenselonline