Denchi Town in Pema Gatshel is currently without a school, with children from the town and surrounding areas having to walk to nearby schools. It has become a significant challenge to both parents and children. The issue was raised during the Dzongkhag Tshogdu on Friday, where the district council proposed to establish an Extended Classroom Facility up to class III.
A few years ago, the district administration moved to the new Druk Migjur Dechen Dzong, and people came to live in the nearby developing town of Denchi. However, a school has not yet been built there.
Currently, 55 children living in Denchi Town and nearby areas travel about 5 kilometres daily to Khar Middle Secondary School and Yalang Primary School.
Local leaders raised concerns during the Dzongkhag Tshogdu, stating that without a school, the civil servants may be discouraged from staying in the district.
Shumar Gup Sonam Dendup said, “First of all, there are difficulties during the summer for young children. Secondly, civil servants with children may be reluctant to move here because there is no school in town.”
“If Denchi Town is to grow, we need people to live here. With a school, parents would be more likely to stay, and landowners would start building homes. This will drive the town’s development,” said Yurung Gup Sangay Thinley.
The local leaders said that if the government cannot allocate a separate budget for the school, the gewog offices would contribute to setting up an Extended Classroom.
Responding to the local leader’s proposal, the chief district education officer explained that the district administration lacks the authority to approve it.
“Based on statistics, establishing an ECR here is feasible. However, setting up a new school requires submitting a request to the education ministry through the district administration. Work can only begin once we receive approval,” said Pelzang, the chief district education officer.
The Dzongkhag Tshogdu unanimously decided to write to the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, hoping for approval this year.
The community remains hopeful that if the ministry approves the proposal, it will not only improve children’s access to education but also contribute to the town’s growth.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sangay Chezom
