The Education Ministry has decided to retain the students of classes VII and above of Phuentshogling Thromde and Chumithang Middle Secondary School under Chhukha Dzongkhag in the same schools for this academic session. The ministry was to relocate some 2,400 students and teachers to other districts this year.
The decision was based on several factors such as the COVID-19 cases being significantly controlled and the occurrences reduced. And the other factors include the arrival and availability of COVID-19 vaccines and the alertness of the communities, parents and students about the consequences of the pandemic.
Those students and teachers who were relocated last year will continue to remain in the current schools to complete their examinations. They will return to their respective schools in Phuentshogling upon completing their exams.
Some 1,600 teachers and students of classes IX and above were relocated in September last year to Wangdue Phodrang, Punakha and Samtse. According to the ministry, the decision was in line with the recommendation from the National Task Force as Phuentshogling is considered as a high-risk area for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the schools have been asked to follow stringent safety protocols for safe re-opening next month.
Sonam Pem
