Dec 3, 2007 -Thimphu: Dorji, 29, is in the pursuit of a long lost dream.

He entered the final lap of his pursuit yesterday. After years of dropping out from class X, Dorji, a student of the Continuing Education Program (CEP) sat for the English Paper I exams with thousands of other regular class XII students from around the country.

CEP was introduced by the education ministry two years ago to give opportunities to people who had to leave school before they could complete their studies. They are the first batch appearing the Bhutan Higher Secondary Certificate Examination, BHSCE, 2007, which started yesterday.

“I was already three years in service when I got this opportunity. I thought, finally the chance to pursue my dream has come, so I grasped it immediately,” said Dorji.

The CEP has come as a second chance to those who felt they had left their academic business unfinished. The number of people willing to enroll has been steadily increasing over the past two years.

Choki, 26, is a personal assistant to a director in a government department. But she is also a Class XII Arts student.

Her colleagues say that when the office phone rings she would hurriedly arrange her pen, pencils and sheets of papers scrambled before the computer. She would be doing her Geography practical work, her friends said.

Teachers of the CEP evening classes at Kelki Higher Secondary School said despite the limited time they get to devote for studies their students have an edge over the regulars because of their maturity and sense of responsibility.

Pema, 27, a mother of two, is undeterred by the inconveniences that come her way. She travels to Reldri Higher Secondary School, a CEP centre, every day from Phuentsholing. “For anything good, such as this, I am ready to make sacrifices possible,” she said busy studying for her exams.

Some of the students felt that it was necessary for them to upgrade their qualification with the position classification system (PCS) to retain only the qualified and meritorious people in the civil service.

“I am continuing my education; otherwise I may loose my job,” said Dechen, 30, mother of two.

Asked if they will be given equal opportunities, like the regular students, to continue tertiary education, the registrar of the Royal University of Bhutan, Kezang Dolma, said: “In principle, if they meet the minimum criteria set, they are eligible, but the modalities should be worked out involving the agencies concerned regarding the study leave and stipend. And the issue is still under discussion.”

A CEP student wants to take study leave next year if he qualifies for Sherubtse College. “We are told that we will be given study leave to continue our studies if we do well. And I am working really hard,” he said.

The coordinator of CEP and Vice-Principal of Kelki School, Leela D. Sharma, told BT that the CEP students were better than the regular students.

There are 96 Class XII and 22 Class X CEP students appearing the BHSCE and BCSE this year. Learners include civil servants, corporate and private employees and housewives.

Source: BhutanTimes Newspaper

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