Over 4000 class ten students were enrolled in various private schools in the Academic Year 2019. The Education Minister, Jai Bir Rai, during the Question Hour Session of the National Assembly, today claimed this is double the number of students enrolled in the Academic Year 2018.
The Education Minister was questioned on the plans and strategies to improve the private schools in the country by the Member of Parliament (MP) of the Khar-Yurung Constituency.
In response, the Education Minister informed the House that the Ministry had enrolled around 4,003 class ten students in various private schools across the country in the academic year 2019.
“In 2018, each private school had around 90 students enrolled. But last year, we have sent around 190 students each in various private schools. This is an increase of 212 per cent. We have also been able to save a few private schools which were about to be closed as well,” informed Jai Bir Rai, the Education Minister.
Only 1,982 day scholars and border students were enrolled in the academic year 2018 compared to the 4,003 students the government sent to private schools in 2019. However, the number is brought down to around 2,100 this year as the government schools could absorb more students with more new schools, but Lyonpo informed the House that the Ministry has revised the school fees for day scholars and border students in various private schools.
“From this year, we have provided the private school with an increased school fee of Nu 40,000 from Nu 30,000 for day scholar students. Similarly, we have also provided them with an increased school fee of Nu 70,000 per child for border students. This is an increase of 35 to 40 per cent respectively,” Lyonpo added.
He further added the salaries for the private school teachers will also witness an upward revision with the enrolment of students in the private schools.
And in order to further improve the private schools in the country, he said the Education Ministry is also providing free textbooks and tax exemptions on procuring school-related infrastructure and equipment. The Ministry is also helping them recruit international teachers, assist in student exchange programmes and developing the skills of private school teachers through quality monitoring evaluation processes.
Passang Dorji
