Students in five pilot Special Educational Needs schools throughout the country will soon have the opportunity to learn pottery as a practical skill. Selwa, with the assistance of the TIKA, will promote pottery training in SEN schools. The equipment for the SEN schools was handed over in Thimphu yesterday. Selwa works to ensure that people with special needs are included in Bhutan’s development strategy and goal of Gross National Happiness. Selwa seeks to provide children with disabilities with the tools they need to develop their creativity while also creating an environment in which they can express themselves. TIKA will assist Selwa in creating a train-the-trainer program to build trainer capacity and ensure the long-term viability of a high-quality training programme.
Peldon Tshering stated that the tactile quality of working with clay has therapeutic advantages, improves fine motor abilities, and stimulates self-expression. This offers up new opportunities and encourages each child’s natural talents. The executive director also mentioned that pottery offers business potential and environmental benefits, including as lowering carbon footprints and replacing plastic products. According to the National Health Survey 2023, there are about 48,000 people over the age of five living with impairments. Dasho Tobgay stated that in Bhutan, where possibilities for people with disabilities are restricted, Her Majesty’s activism offers hope. He noted that these programs not only benefit children, but also help to establish a more caring and inclusive society for all Bhutanese.
