Zhemgang might see closure of many of its primary schools and extended classrooms during the 12th Five-Year-Plan (FYP). This has been outlined in the education ministry’s Technical Guidelines for Preparation of 12th FYP.
The education officials of Zhemgang presented the new Technical Guidelines in the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu. According to the guidelines, a primary school should have more than 100 pupils while for an extended classroom, the minimum of number students should be 20.
If this criterion is not met, the facilities will have to be consolidated. Officials said the move is following declining enrolment in primary schools and extended classrooms across the country.
“Since government has provided better facilities in central schools, it would be better to close down the primary schools and extended classrooms. It is better to invest in central schools and improve quality of education,” said Sherab Jamtsho, the Dzongkhag Education Officer.
But, local leaders were wary of such guidelines. “I am against this guideline. We have to consult the public in the gewogs and then go ahead with the decision,” said Phangkhar Gup, Tashi.
Likewise, Shingkhar Gup, Ngedup said: “Before, the education ministry has built so many schools and now guidelines says the schools must be closed. This is very conflicting policy.”
Today, there are 12 primary schools and 10 extended classrooms in Zhemgang and as of now, none of them meet the minimum student strength criterion.
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