Almost 1,900 children have applied for PP admission in schools in Thimphu Thromde for the 2026 intake. However, government schools can accommodate nearly 1,300 students. This was shared by the Education and Skills Development Minister during meet the press today. The minister said the admission pressure is mainly due to rural-urban migration.
The minister said that in high-demand areas such as Thimphu and Phuentsholing Thromdes, admissions remain constrained due to limited available infrastructure, classroom space, and teacher capacity.
She added that while the ministry strives to accommodate as many eligible children as possible, it is not feasible to guarantee seats for all children within the prescribed age range in Thromde schools due to these limitations.
“We have now allowed admission for children who are five years, four months and 25 days old as of 1st March, 2026, which means, we are admitting more students. This has been totally based on the capacity of the infrastructure that we have at the moment.”
The minister said that parents who are unable to secure seats in Thromde schools may consider alternative options such as private schools or continue enrollment in Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) centres.
Furthermore, the minister said the ministry is working on a systematic planning to address these pressures through infrastructure development, teacher deployment, and long-term education planning within available resources.
Sangay Chozom and Tashi Dekar
