Plans to develop Kanglung in Trashigang into an education centre are unlikely to materialise in the current Five-Year plan. The plan did not make it to the government’s priority list for the 13th Five-Year Plan. It has remained stalled for almost a decade despite being one of the pledges of the ruling government during both its terms.
A survey, zoning, and documentation work to establish Kanglung as an education centre was completed in 2017.
However, even to date, the plan has remained on paper, with no groundwork carried out so far.
When the project was first announced, residents anticipated that it would boost the local economy and improve their livelihoods.
In preparation for the education centre, Trashigang District Administration even constructed a water supply project and began supplying drinking water to the public.
Now, they are anxious if the plan will ever materialise.
Residents are seeking the government’s clarification regarding the status of the plan.
It was also one of the pledges of the People’s Democratic Party during the parliamentary election.
Kanglung Gup Kinzang Dorji said, “Initially, Kanglung had around 500 Thram holders, but now the number has increased to around 1,800, with people buying and selling land to construct houses. We already have the map and design for the centre. In case the structure falls on their land, there will be a problem. I think our plan and mapping will become useless. Right now, it is not too early. Rather, it is already too late to start the education centre.”
“Sherubtse College has reduced student intake after reducing the number of courses. As a result, many houses in Kanglung remain vacant, and people increasingly prefer to live in urban areas,” said Tenzin Mendrel, a businessman in Kanglung.
“Some of my staff have even left. If you look around Kanglung, much of the area remains quiet and silent. If the government establishes the education centre here, it would greatly benefit our business community. People from outside will visit Kanglung, which would boost local businesses, create more employment opportunities for our local youth, and generate more revenue for the government through taxes.”
Ugyen Dorji from Kanglung said, “Our people are still waiting for Kanglung to be identified as an education centre, but so far, there has been no clear directive. Because of this uncertainty, some people are facing difficulties when planning or carrying out construction. Unlike in rural areas, once an area is designated as a town, people can construct structures within 50 feet of the road. Some people are still waiting to develop their properties, but I think construction in these areas remains restricted because the status of Kanglung as an education centre has not yet been clarified.”
During the recent Meet the Press session, the Education and Skills Development Minister said the plan could not be prioritised in the current Five-Year plan.
“We have pledged to establish Kanglung as an education centre. However, the ministry has several other important priorities under the 13th Five-Year Plan. While prioritising, the establishment of Kanglung as an education centre could not be included in the plan. As a result, we could not include the establishment of the education centre in the 13th Five-Year Plan,” said Yeezang De Thapa, the Education and Skills Development Minister.
The project was first announced in 2014 when the People’s Democratic Party first assumed office as the ruling government.
The then education minister, Norbu Wangchuk, said the government had identified Kanglung as an education hub because of the presence of several educational institutions, favourable weather conditions, and its proximity to a domestic airport.
Apart from formal educational institutions such as Early Childhood Care and Development Centres and Sherubtse College, Kanglung also has two monastic institutes, a vocational training centre for people with disabilities, and the newly established Yarabling Higher Secondary School.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Phub Gyem
