Schools and teacher shortage

Thimphu, March 05: With the beginning of the academic session, the schools in Thimphu and around the country have not seem to be enough for new enrolment of the children. 

The government is not permitting opening of new schools, thus compelling the parents to stick to current schools even if they are not interested. Parents and their children are seen lining up in queues in from to the schools for admissions.

The admission pressure for Yangchenphu Higher Secondary School, the most popular in the country, has been admitting 15 percent more students compared to previous academic sessions in classes IX, X, XI, and XII, adding more than 700 students than its normal capacity of 1,400. Similar is the case in other schools. However, the infrastructure development has not been accelerated to meet the demands.

Changangkha Primary School also gives space for over 60 students than its normal capacity of 1,000.

The teacher shortage is the major problem seen in Thimphu. Very few pass-outs join this profession. Last year, the government had to make an announcement for recruiting Indian teachers in various schools in the country. Currently, the teacher-student ratio is around 1:40.

Educationists say the growing urbanisation and migration of the people from rural areas to towns should be the cause of increment in school enrolment in urban areas.

Reports from Gelephu and Trashigang also say that the local schools have been facing pressure to enrol student more than their capacity.

The government policy of no privatisation in education sector is one of the causes. Very few private schools are given permission to run. Unless, private sector is permitted to run education institutions in the country, the government schools would continue to face pressure and the people would be force to seek schools outside the country for their children's education. Bhutan News Service/Sangey Oendrey