According to the annual education statistics, Continuing Education (CE) enrollment has decreased by almost 40 percent after 2017.

This, according to the report, could be attributed to the success of the programme in terms of its coverage in the last twelve years.

Education ministry started the CE programme in Kelki HSS in Thimphu in 2006 to promote lifelong learning and to provide an opportunity to dropouts to upgrade their qualifications.

The programme offers 2-year course for classes X and XII dropouts.

The report states that a total of 414 learners have currently enrolled for the programme in the three CE centres in Thimphu and Chukha. Of the three CE centres in the country, two are in Thimphu.

“CE classes are conducted in the evenings and on the weekends since most of the learners are employed,” it states.

CE centre in Pelkhil Higher Secondary School in Thimphu and Norbu Academy in Chukha offer arts and commerce courses. Dzongkha Development Training Institute in Thimphu offers Rigzhung courses.

Meanwhile, Non-Formal Education (NFE) programme has gained widespread popularity as an effective programme for providing basic literacy, numeracy and functional skills among adult population.

As of June 2018, there were 6,017 learners in the country attending basic literacy course (BLC) and post-literacy course (PLC) in 560 NFE centres.

Female participation in the NFE programme, both instructors and learners, has been higher than male.

According to the report, out of 544 instructors, 392 are female. Among 6,017 NFE learners, 4,229 are female.

Samtse has the highest number of NFE learners (602), followed by Sarpang (577), and Mongar (540).

Sonam Choden