The poor condition of Singye Primary School in Sarpang endangers both students and teachers. Bent wooden ceiling beams in the school library and staff room require maintenance. Due to high costs, the school administration could not carry out the repairs, so they asked the gewog administration for help. The Singye Gup raised the issue at the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu, requesting funds for the necessary maintenance work.
Established in 2010, Singye Primary School has about 170 students. For over two years, the wooden ceiling beams have been bent, endangering both students and teachers.
Due to insufficient funds, the school has been unable to rectify the situation. Despite seeking assistance from the gewog, they were unable to provide financial support due to budget constraints.
“The school was built in 2010 and it is currently in poor condition, posing a huge risk to students in case of disasters like earthquakes. Therefore, we are asking the Dzongkhag Tshogdu to increase our Gewog Development Fund. This would be a big help for us, without needing to rely on the district administration,” said Jigme, Singye Gup.
“As of now, we have not been able to carry out maintenance of Singye Primary School, constructed around 2010. In addition, we also lack essential facilities like a separate office for school administration and a boundary fence around the premises,” said Dhan Man Gurung, Tareythang Gup.
Meanwhile, the finance officer of Sarpang stated that they have not received a proposal from the education sector regarding the renovation of Singye Primary School’s infrastructure.
However, he informed the House that funding for this would be considered in the next financial year.
“The district education sector has been arranging maintenance and improving projects for school infrastructure and submitting plans to the District Finance Committee for funding approval. However, this year, the committee did not receive funding approval for Singye Primary School’s renovation and thus could not allocate funds. Nevertheless, when we receive the Gewog Block Grant next year, we will review the plan for the school and there may be a chance to allocate funds,” said Tenzin Phuntsho, finance officer of Sarpang.
The district deputy education officer said that the gewog administration must repair primary school structures using the block grant. He added that the district education sector is responsible for middle and high schools, not primary schools.
Until next year, when funds from the district administration are expected, Singye Primary School will have to endure the same conditions.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Sonam Pem
