Gongphu Lower Secondary School in Zhemgang looks scenic with a beautiful surrounding from outside. But the admiration vanishes as one reaches the classrooms. With ceilings and planks almost falling apart, students and teachers say they live in fear every day.
Although established in 1988, the school building was re-constructed nearly a decade ago. But classroom walls have developed several cracks. And it doesn’t end here, the boy’s hostel looks no different.
“The first floor of the hostel had to be vacated. And the boys were shifted to the ground floor for safety reasons. We have looked for a better place to keep our students but all are same and risky. And we are facing a lot of problem and difficulties,” said Singye Wangchuk, Principal of the school.
“We have arranged the beds in a bunk bed arrangement to protect our students from the cracked ceiling that could fall anytime. The school authority has also suggested and instructed us to keep students away from risks to prevent misfortune,” said Kinley, a warden of the school.
Likewise, similar is the condition of the multipurpose hall and the kitchen. The school reported the matter to the education ministry’s school planning and building (SPBD) division recently.
“Accordingly, some engineers from the division visited the school for assessment and recently got the report. And we are waiting for the next directive. But we are constantly supported by the dzongkhag. However, for now, it’s quite risky should any disaster happen,” said the Principal.
Accordingly, the education ministry has instructed the dzongkhag administration to demolish the multipurpose hall and the boy’s hostel for re-construction.
But for the classrooms, the dzongkhag will assess once again to see if re-construction or renovation is needed.
Gongphu Lower Secondary School has 122 students.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Sonam Pem
