Teachers at Dungna Middle Secondary School in Chhukha have been facing a housing shortage, forcing them to live in temporary huts. Concerned school officials and locals say inadequate housing facilities in rural areas may discourage teachers from accepting placements in remote places.
Built nearly a decade ago, these temporary huts are home to teachers at Dungna Middle Secondary School. With limited space, teachers share cramped rooms in ageing structures that pose safety risks.
“There are about three staff quarters but it’s not enough at all. There are also no houses outside the school that can be rented. So, with no option, we have constructed small huts and they share the huts. The temporary huts are also getting old now,” said Dorji Wangdi, the Principal of Dungna Middle Secondary School.
Locals as well as school officials believe that lack of proper housing discourages teachers from going to remote schools. Currently, there are 26 teachers and more than 400 students in Dungna Middle Secondary School.
The principal said, “It is difficult for officials to transfer teachers to faraway places like this. Even after the transfer, it is difficult to retain them. That way, we lose all the experienced teachers. We get home exhausted and when we don’t have a comfortable home, I feel this is one of the reasons why they do not want to be placed in rural areas.”
The issue has also been raised to the district administration. District’s education officials said plans to construct quarters for teachers have been included in the 13th Five-Year Plan.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
Edited by Phub Gyem
