The private higher secondary schools in the country are worried about the government’s decision to absorb all the class X graduates into government schools. Following the announcement of the Class X results last month, the government decided to stop providing new scholarships to private schools. Until last year, the government provides scholarships to more than 2,000 students to study in private schools after passing the class X exams.
The decision to absorb all class X graduates into government schools was not received well by most of the private schools in the country. Some of the private school teachers said the decision will leave most of them without the means to make a living.
“Most proprietors of private schools have loans to repay. They might be struggling to pay back. They will be forced to bear the losses now. And then many teachers will lose their jobs because without students there is no use for teachers. And I am also worried about the quality of education that this decision will have,” said Shacha Dorji, a Teacher at the Pelkhil HSS in Thimphu.
And Hemlal Pokhrel, a teacher from the same school said private schools have been contributing to the country’s economy by paying a huge amount in taxes every year. He said this decision will affect the economy as well. “And at the same time, I think many of our friends who are working in private schools are on the verge of losing their jobs. And that is certainly going to make them unemployed.”
“We have about 30 teachers here. Now with the government’s decision, the school will have to cut down on the number of teachers. Like us, there are many teachers in the private schools in the country,” said Dorji, a Teacher of Kelki HSS.
“This came as a blow when they say there is no student going to private schools. Actually private sectors are given more importance from the throne but today when we hear this kind of news it is quite alarming. Especially in terms of our sustainability,” added Sangay Chophel, also a teacher of Kelki HSS.
Meanwhile, the Education Minister said there is no definite plan for the teachers in private schools.
Some private schools are also worried that they might have to bring down the shutters on their schools very soon.
“Without students, there is no need for teachers. So hereafter, I think we will have to close down the schools altogether,” said Karma Zangmo, the Principal of Rinchen HSS.
However, according to the education ministry, the decision was not taken overnight. While the government assured scholarships to the private schools during the last parliament session, the condition was that students will be enrolled in private schools only if the government schools can’t absorb all the class X graduates. Currently, there are more seats available in the government schools than the number of class X graduates.
According to the ministry, there are about ten thousand seats available in the 75 higher secondary schools across the country. Only about nine thousand class X students passed the BCSE exams this year.
Meanwhile, this decision will affect the 20 private higher secondary schools across the country.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Sonam
