Staff Reporter 

The government wants to reopen classes IX and XI along with Class X and XII but it will all depend on how the situation unfolds in the next 10 days.

If everyone adheres to the conditions the Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering spelt out last night on the national television, reopening these classes remains a possibility.

Lyonchhen said that health experts will assess the situation after 10 days. For schools, should the situation favour, classes IX and XI will also be opened along with classes X and XII.

In the meantime, all schools, colleges and institutes will continue to remain closed while the government will assess and prepare for the reopening starting today.

The education ministry last week submitted the proposal to reopen classes IX and XI along with Classes X and XII when the government decides to lift the lockdown.

Classes X and XII were re-opened before the lockdown in July. Regular classes for X and XII have been suspended following a nationwide lockdown on August 11.

Lyonchhen said that if the present situation continues it would take longer to reopen the schools in Phuentsholing.

The government would allow parents to move their children to any school according to the convenience or be placed in a central school by the education ministry.

“This arrangement would allow students of Phuentsholing to resume their education at the same time as other students in the country,” Lyonchhen said.

Phuentsholing has one public higher secondary school and two middle secondary schools.

If a similar situation arises in other dzongkhags, the Prime Minister said that the same arrangement would be considered.