The recent Zhemgang Dzongkhag Tshogdu decided to downgrade eight schools in the academic year of 2014 keeping with the Education Ministry’s guideline to rationalise unsustainable schools.
In 2011, eight community schools were downgraded to Extended Class Rooms (ECR). This time again, eight more have been added to the list.
After prolonged discussion on downgrading schools to ECRs from 2014, the education sector of the dzongkhag identified respective parent schools for each ECR. Nevertheless, the sector may propose upgradation if the enrolment situation improves.
A shrinking population and rural-urban migration were pointed out to be the main reasons for decreasing enrolment in schools at the Dzongkhag Tshogdu.
The education sector also submitted a proposal to downgrade a few of the Lower Secondary schools to primary schools over the next few years.
Since 2011, 10 community schools have been downgraded to Extended Classrooms in Zhemgang.
