March 31: Civil servants and other office goers who have not been able to upgrade their Dzongkha qualification can do so now. This is because Department of Adult and Higher Education has introduced Dzongkha Continuing Education Programme.

The Dzongkha Continuing Education Programme at the Dzongkha language Institute in Changgangkha was inaugurated yesterday by the Venerable Tsheney Lopen of the Zhung Dratrsang and Drangpon Tshering Namgay of the Thimphu Dzongkhag court.

The first batch of 17 students, most of them civil servants, will soon attend two hours of Dzongkha class after office hours.

The Director of the Department of Adult and Higher Education, Karma Yeshey said the programme was started to provide opportunities to youth and office goers to upgrade their Dzongkha.

Kenzang Chedup from Pema Gatshel works as an Assistant Resource Coordinator in Changangkha Lower Secondary School. He said he could not continue his studies after 10th standard. However through the Continuing Education Programme at the Kelki Higher Secondary School, Kenzang Chedup completed class 12 in 2007.

Other participants said they joined the course understanding the importance of improving their command of the national language.

Ngawang Dorji the Deputy Chief Programme Officer of the Department of Adult and Higher Education said the syllabus is similar to courses offered at the Dzongkhag language institutes. He said if the programme proves to be a success, B.A courses in Dzongkha will also be introduced in the future.

The students will have to pay an annual fee of Nu. 8,500.

T he Education Secretary Sangay Zam and other senior education officials also attended the inauguration.