Tshem Zo, the art of tailoring, is an essential part of Bhutanese lifestyle and culture, and one of the Zorig Chusum (13 traditional arts and crafts). Tshem Zo includes the craft of making traditional Bhutanese garments like Gho and Kira, as well as stitching Thangka and Choezey.
Tshem Zo students learn the art of tailoring but in CTAS, they also have to undergo the basics of drawing rimo so that they can work independently and not have to rely on other people to do the initial drawings and pattern.
Tshem Zo Level One students are taught to draw fundamental rimo like luroe dangpa, gundhu ram, dawa patra, dolynga chachang and nob cha duen.
Tshem Zo Level One students are taught the basics of the sowing machine and types of stitches. They practice Khasha (cotton) stitching to make bookmarks, mats, draw string pouches, passport covers, lunchbox bags, tego, wonju, full kira and Thangka.
Tshem Zo Level Two students are taught to draw rimo of the Eight Lucky Signs and the tashi zagay.
Tshem Zo Level Two students learn to rebalance the sowing machine, and stich normal tegos, fitting tego, tego with wonju attached, wonju, full kira with jha, kera and Thangkhas.
Tshemzo students are required to complete six-ten weeks of On the Job Training (OJT), a period of internship that offers students practical experience.
In order to get promoted to next level, students are assessed on a monthly basis and have to clear the exam. Students are expected to take exams twice a year, in July and in December. By the end of the year, the students are expected to draw rimo accurately from memory, make their own blue print designs, understand the sequence of painting and paint as per the requirements.
By the end of the year, the students are expected to draw and stitch small souvinier items and traditional trinkets.The students are assessed on monthly basis and have to clear the exam to be certified as certificate level.
Students learn basic computer skills such as typing, creating slides, using the internet as a resource and basic graphic design. The program was introduced in 2012 with the objective to provide basic IT knowledge.
Students learn simple Dzongkha with the basic skills of reading and writing in Dzongkha. Since Dzongkha is a key aspect of our culture, students are taught Dzongkha to enrich their craft and learning experience.
Students learn simple English with the basic skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking in English. They learn to comprehend simple texts and hold conversations in english.
Students learn simple math skills like adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing numbers to solve problems. They also learn basic formulas and equations.
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