Walking to school is an everyday struggle for the students of Ganglakhema Primary School in Khoma Gewog of Lhuentse. It takes them over an hour to get to school from their village. And so, parents are requesting relevant authorities to look into starting a boarding facility at the school.
According to the parents, the tiring journey to and from the school adversely affects their children’s academic performance.
“By the time our children reach home from school, it gets dark. They do not get enough time to do their homework. We ask them to do their homework during public holidays. Otherwise, there is no time,” said Sonam Wangdi, a parent from Gangla_Kholma under Khoma Gewog in Lhuentse.
“It takes an hour on foot for our children to get home from school. So, if they are to perform well in their studies, there is a need for a boarding facility,” added Sonam Tobgay, the Gangla_Kholma Tshogpa.
However, Lhuentse’s Chief Education Officer, Ugyen Pem, said the school is not eligible for a boarding facility due to its decreasing pre-primary enrolment over the years. The school also lacks adequate structures.
Moreover, as per the Education Ministry’s policy, there should be at least 100 students for a school to qualify for the boarding facility. Currently, Ganglakhema Primary School has only 47 students.
Meanwhile, much to the relief of the parents, the school started receiving day feeding programme from the government since last year. Before that, students brought their own packed lunch.
Ganglakhema Primary School, established in 2002 as a day school, is among the most remote ones in Khoma Gewog.
Sonam Tshering
