A 200-metre stretch of road leading towards Changangkha Middle Secondary School from the Thori Lam in Thimphu is used by students and residents alike. For students, the road is a shorter walk to their school and keeps them away from traffic congestion, especially during peak hours. However, the stretch is not blacktopped, is filled with potholes, and becomes muddy when it rains. Parents have been calling for the road to be maintained.
This is the shorter route leading to Changangkha school. The road also connects to Rinchen Kuenphen Primary School.
Parents prefer this road as it is shorter compared to the road, which connects to the school from the Doebum Lam.
The majority of the parents use this road, however, with the road in dire condition they say it is inconvenient to use the road.
“As it is an inclusive school with SEN children, there are a few who cannot walk. Yet, they have to use this way as it is shorter from this road. There is a way from the other side but due to traffic congestion, it is inconvenient. Hence, the majority of the people use this road. This road has huge potholes and there are puddles and no space for children to walk as there is no footpath,” said Dechen Pem, a parent.
“This road is in need of maintenance. When it rains, it becomes muddy. This way is used by students of both schools. If the road is maintained it will benefit us all,” said Dhan Bdr Mongar, also a parent.
According to the principal of the Changangkha Middle Secondary School, parents raise the issue about this road time and again.
“When we hold parent-teacher meetings, the parents frequently ask us if we can do anything regarding the road. We do tell them that we do things in our jurisdiction and when it concerns the area inside the school, but the area outside the school is not in our jurisdiction,” said Nyendo, the principal of Changangkha Middle Secondary School.
The principal said that the majority of the students and the parents use the road.
“When it rains the parents come to drop their children and each parent comes with a vehicle. There is no parking space and we keep the students and the teacher waiting in traffic, which is a challenge for us,” added the principal.
The two schools have around 2,000 students, including 126 special educational needs students of Changangkha Middle Secondary School.
Meanwhile, the Thimphu Thromde said they do not have any comment regarding the road’s maintenance.
Sonam Yuden
Edited by Sherub Dorji
