Most schools in the country have offered feeding programmes for years, earning praise from parents and students. However, town-based schools have been excluded. Pema Gatshel Middle Secondary School was previously ineligible, as it was considered to be in a town area. However, after the district administration and town relocated to Denchi two years ago, the school is no longer in a town area. Now, parents are urging the government to provide meals for day scholars. This concern was also raised during the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu.
Parents raised concerns about their children’s health and education. Day-scholar students have to walk for over an hour, carrying books and lunch, leaving them exhausted. Parents hope for a school feeding programme to ease this burden.
“Children often bring their lunch back home because it gets cold and tasteless. Many look weak during school hours, and some leave their lunch behind as carrying it with their books is difficult. We try to deliver their meals later. A school feeding programme with breakfast and lunch would be a huge relief,” said Sangay Dema, a resident of Shumar Gewog.
“The school previously lacked a feeding programme because it was near the Dzong. Now, even after the district administration moved to Denchi, there is still no feeding facility. Many children struggle to carry their lunch, and those who do are often too exhausted to eat,” said Wangmo, a resident of Zobel Gewog.
“Children don’t eat their lunch when it gets cold and often bring it back home. Hunger makes it hard for them to focus in class. A school feeding programme would be a great help,” said Tshewang Dema, a resident of Shumar Gewog.
The issue was recently raised in the Dzongkhag Tshogdu, where Shumar Gup highlighted that the establishment of schools in remote areas has greatly reduced students’ long commutes. However, despite progress, many struggle with proper nutrition.
“I am seeking support from the house to set up a feeding facility at the school for the student’s well-being and health. If possible, the district administration should decide on this, if not, we should recommend the ministry and relevant agencies to consider it,” said Sonam Dendup, Shumar Gup.
“It has been a while since the district administration moved to Denchi. We hope the recommendation can be submitted soon as there is an opportunity to receive support from the government and the ministry,” said Pema Dorji, Chairperson of Dzongkhag Tshogdu, Pema Gatshel.
The Dzongkhag Tshogdu members unanimously approved the resolution and the district education sector has recently submitted a proposal to the education ministry to initiate a feeding programme.
Pema Gatshel Middle Secondary School, established in 1960 currently has 341 students. Of these, 178 are day scholars who must bring their lunch from home.
Except for Pema Gatshel Middle Secondary School, all 25 schools in the district have feeding programmes in place.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sonam Pem
