Lhakpa Quendren

Sarpang—For 12-year-old Amit Mongar and his 10-year-old sister Anisha, the daily hike to Jangchubling Middle Secondary School in Chhudzom gewog is an exhausting two-hour journey.

From Galeythang chiwog, Amit Mongar studies in class IV while Anisha is in class III.

Adding to their woes, the road to school, which runs through thick forest cover, is often obstructed with landslides, making the journey even more daunting.

“We leave home by 5am, sometimes even earlier,” says Amit Mongar. “It is tough but I am used to it and not afraid of wild animals.”

The siblings carry their packed lunches and school books, battling physical and mental fatigue to complete their homework in the evenings.

The double-storey hostels can accommodate 128 students

The newly completed 12-unit classroom began accommodating students two months ago

“During the winter, it gets dark by the time we reach home. As soon as we get home, we have to do our homework. We have no time to play like our friends who live near the school,” says Amit Mongar.

Initially, their parents rented a house near the school, but the arrangement was unsustainable. “My husband struggles to manage everything at home,” explains their mother, Pancha Maya Rai. “I walk with them halfway before dawn. We worry during the summer with the risks from monsoons, but we have no choice.”

Hundreds of students from remote chiwogs like Dragchhu, Lhayul, and Sherubling face similar hardships. Many rely on rented accommodations, despite facing financial challenges.

Fifteen-year-old Pem Rinchen Mongar, who otherwise would have to walk five to six hours from Sherubling to attend school, stays with his two younger brothers in a rented space near the school for Nu 1,000 a month.

“As farmers, my parents have to work at home. I have to cook and take care of my two brothers as well,” he said. “Sometimes I have to help my landlord, and sometimes I forget to do my homework.”

Relief is on the horizon with the anticipated opening of boarding facilities at Jangchubling Middle Secondary School next academic year.

The construction of two double-storey hostel blocks has resumed, promising to change the lives of the students.

“We will get meals, have more time for studies, and discuss homework with friends and teachers. This will improve discipline and learning,” says Pem Rinchen.

The school’s staff secretary, Gaki, said that the boarding facilities will immensely benefit teachers, parents, and students alike. “They will no longer have to stay in rented houses or walk long distances, which will give them more time for their studies,” she said.

Currently, children as young as six cross rivers and dense forests to reach school, while parents accompany their kids for hours.

With only 128 beds available in the new hostels, there is a pressing need for additional accommodations, given the school’s enrollment of about 350 students.

Chhudzom Mangmi Prem Bahadur Ghalley said that the gewog administration discussed with the school management to provide boarding facilities for over 100 students living farther from the school. “The construction is progressing as expected and should be ready by the upcoming academic year,” he said.

Each of the two hostels, designed to accommodate 64 students separately for boys and girls, faced delays due to budget constraints and workers leaving due to non-payment.

The construction work was awarded to Kencho Tshering Construction.

The construction was extended for a year with over Nu 1.3 million allocated for spillover activities in the current plan.

Meanwhile, the recently completed 12-unit classroom, constructed at a budget of Nu 27.7 million, began accommodating students two months ago.