Nine primary schools in Zhemgang will have six to 18 students in the upcoming academic year

Lhakpa Quendren

Zhemgang—Nine primary schools in Zhemgang are struggling with a sharp decline in student enrolment, with just 122 students collectively for the upcoming academic year.

These affected schools, which include Digala in Bardo, Nimshong and Thrisa in Shingkhar, Kikhar in Nangkor, Duenmang and Tsanglajong in Trong, Tradijong in Phangkhar, Repati in Ngangla, and Barpong in Bjoka, all offer classes from pre-primary to grade three.

Each of the schools will have students ranging from six to 18.

Tradijong Primary School, for instance, has no new enrolment, leaving the school with only six students next year.

Altogether, these primary schools currently employ 19 teachers and 17 support staff, resulting in a teacher-student ratio of 1:5.

The two teachers from Nimshong Primary School were recently transferred, leaving the school without a teacher for now.

The Dzongkhag Education Sector is considering merging these schools with nearby boarding facilities to address the issue. All schools with declining enrolment lack boarding facilities, although two meals—breakfast and lunch—are provided.

“We will assure parents of our readiness to enroll students in boarding schools while also improving facilities, including maintenance and repairs,” said a dzongkhag education official. “The existing boarding schools have sufficient capacity to absorb additional students.”

Except for Duenmang and Barpong, the other schools have nearby boarding options.

“For instance, Tradijong could merge with Gomphu Primary School, which is about a two-hour drive away,” added the official.

This option is considered to enhance academic outcomes and provide nutritious meals to students. “It is evident that boarding students perform better academically than those who attend as day scholars,” said the education official.

All primary schools with boarding facilities are staffed with caregivers, and some schools even have washing machines, according to education officials.

The plan to merge schools is facing resistance from local leaders and residents. Local government leaders argue that improving infrastructure and facilities at existing schools would attract more students and negate the need for mergers or closures.

Ngangla’s Repati Tshogpa, Sangay Phuntsho, said that his chiwog will work towards increasing student enrolment if school facilities are improved. “The school, which was built through labour contributions by the residents, has greatly benefited the community. Without a school in the community, it will only bring more challenges.”

Repati Primary School, once home to 26 students, will have only eight students next year. The classes were reduced from three grades to one after the lone class two student was transferred to Panbang Primary School.

“Downgrading the school undermines our efforts to increase enrolment,” Sangay Phuntsho added. “How can we increase enrolment when students are being transferred to other schools?”

Repati Chiwog has 37 households.

Local residents also said that the government, during its election campaign, had promised to establish one school for each larger chiwog, and the decision to close or merge schools is contradictory to the pledge. 

Shingkhar’s Thrisa Tshogpa, Thinley Wangchuk, said that school mergers and closures should not be immediate options, as enrolment may increase in the future. “If the trend continues to decline after a few years, we should then support the decision to close the school,” he said. “Mergers and closures should be a last resort after all options are explored.”

Thrisa primary school has 14 students studying from PP to grade three next year.

When Tali Primary School in Zhemgang, established in 2004, was closed in 2023 after struggling with just eight students, local residents and elected representatives appealed to the Prime Minister for its reopening, but their request was denied.

The school structure was handed over to the gewog administration for repurposing for agricultural and other activities.

Zhemgang has 29 schools, including four high schools, with 14 schools providing boarding facilities. The dzongkhag has 4,032 students and 270 teachers, with an additional 23 teachers set to join next year.

Some teachers attribute the lower enrolment to the declining population and migration, as many students opt for urban schools with better facilities.

The population of Zhemgang declined by 1,190 over seven years, from 17,763 in 2017 to 16,573 in 2024, with projections indicating a further decline to 16,384 by 2025, according to the Dzongkhag population projections for 2017-27.