Nima | Gelephu

Travelling from home to school every day has become expensive for students from Samkhar in Jigmecholing, Sarpang, after a public transport service was discontinued three years ago.

Parents from Samkhar and Batasey hire two boleros to pick and drop students from school every day paying Nu 1,000 a month.

Amith Kumar Rai from Batasey said that starting a school bus service or a boarding facility would help students. “We have to take students and also passengers. Taking only student is a huge loss for us.”

He said after the bus service stopped, many children were forced to go to schools that have boarding facilities.

Villagers said sending students to school was convenient and affordable when there was bus service, as parents had to pay only Nu 300 in a month as bus fare.

Mig Tamang from Samkhar said parents tried to hire a private bus for the students. “It was not affordable, considering the payment for the driver and monthly maintenance. Travelling during summer is a big problem here.”

Samkhar tshogpa, Neten, said parents are managing even if it’s a bit expensive.

He said the problem would be resolved once Jigmecholing Middle Secondary School has a boarding facility.  “Construction of the hostel might take a year.”