Non Formal and Continuing Education Division (NFCED) under the Department of Adult and Higher Education (DAHE) has brought in phenomenal success by proving functional literacy program to those sections of population aged 15 and above who have missed formal schooling due to varied reasons. The program after having been taken over by the Ministry of Education in 1993 from the Dzongkha Development Commission had benefitted almost 190, 000 adult illiterate learners and 11, 000 continuing education learners.
Over a decade there has been significant growth and diversification of the program with the introduction of Post Literacy Course (PLC), Community Learning Centre (CLC), Continuing Education (CE) and functional English course. However, with the society becoming more knowledge-based, there is an urgent need to strengthen the programmes to effectively cater and address the learning needs and skills development of those who have missed the formal education system.
Mandates
- Provide functional literacy and numeracy skills to youth and adults who have missed the formal education.
- Provide opportunity to aspiring learners to continue their education and be integrated into the mainstream education.
- Provide avenues for basic vocational, cultural and traditional education programme for enhancing self-learning and skills to improve their livelihood.
NON FORMAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
Non-Formal Education Program is an educational activity which is targeted at providing functional literacy and numeracy skills to youth and adults who have missed the formal education system. It is designed to meet the learning needs of educationally disadvantaged persons, aged 15 years and above through basic literacy and life skills programmes, and to enhance their capacity to be productive. The NFE programme is flexible in terms of
COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTRE
Community Learning Centre is a local educational centre, which is usually set up and managed by the local people to provide avenues for basic vocational, cultural and traditional education programme to NFE learners who completed their post literacy course and neo-literates, besides providing avenues for enhancing self-learning.
Continuing Education (CE) programme was introduced in February 2006 to provide opportunity to adults who could not complete their school education (Class IX to XII) and to upgrade their academic qualification. It is aimed at encouraging lifelong learning and career enhancement.
As a pilot program, it was first launched at Kelki Higher Secondary School in Thimphu. The provision for such a programme was also emphasized by the Civil Service Reform then, which required qualification up-gradation. Due to its popularity, the programme was expanded to other Dzongkhags in the subsequent years, along with the introduction of Dzongkha Rigzhung in Thimphu in 2012.
As of 2014, there were 17 CE centres spread in Dzongkhags/Thromde, namely Bumthang, Chukha, Haa, Paro, Pemagatshel, Samdrupjongkhar, Samtse, Sarpang, Thimphu, Tsirang, and Wangdue. Currently, there are three CE Centres in the country.
The program has benefited more than 10,972 learners since its inception in advancing their academic qualification and career.
1. OBJECTIVES
- To provide lifelong learning opportunities to youth and adults.
- To provide opportunities to advance career and academic qualification for youth and adults.
2. STRATEGIES
- Facilitate the establishment of CE Centres both in public and private schools.
- Explore and provide support to aspiring adult learners for CE programme.
- Provide professional training to CE tutors on andragogy.
- Support with Teaching and learning materials to the CE Centres at par with regular school.