Eight of the 10 toppers are from private schools
KP Sharma
Private schools led the toppers lists at the Bhutan Higher Secondary Education Certificate (BHSEC) 2024 examination, with eight of the top 10 scorers from private institutions.
Despite a drop in the overall pass percentage to 85.70 percent, down from 87.85 percent in 2023, private schools outperformed their public counterparts in academic excellence.
The Bhutan Council for School Examinations and Assessment (BCSEA) announced the results for the BHSEC and the Language and Culture Studies Certificate (LCSC) yesterday.
Of the total 8,996 students from 79 higher secondary schools, 7,710 achieved the pass percentage.
In the Science stream, Rigzin Namgay from Ugyen Academy secured the first position with 90.75 percent. Tandin Garab Dorji from the same school came second with 90 percent, followed by Pema Lhaden, also from Ugyen Academy, in third place with 89 percent.
Rigzin Namgay attributed his success to the support and guidance of his teachers from both his previous and current schools, as well as his parents.
He plans to pursue his long-standing dream of studying MBBS but said the result was unexpected.
In the Commerce stream, Thinley Dema from Motithang HSS in Thimphu secured the first position with 88.50 percent.
Tshoki Wangmo from Desi HSS in Thimphu came second with 86.75 percent.
The third position was shared by Kinley Hindrup from Desi HSS and Dawa Gyelthsen from Karma Academy, both scoring 85.25 percent.
Thinley Dema said that while she was hopeful for good results, she did not expect to top the country. “I hope to pursue studies in either chartered accountancy or business administration, depending on the opportunities available.”
In the Arts stream, Pema Tshogyel from Karma Academy secured the first position with 89 percent.
Jigme Thinley from Jigme Sherubling Central School came second with 84.50 percent, while Bishnu Maya Powdyel from Desi HSS took the third position with 84.25 percent.
Pema Tshogyel, whose parents are civil servants, credited the study culture at her current school for her performance.
She also acknowledged her previous schools for providing a strong foundation in her education.
Among the subjects besides optional subjects, English recorded the highest pass percentage at 99.83 percent, while Accountancy and Business Mathematics had the lowest pass percentages at 20.96 percent and 30.55 percent, respectively.
Similarly, all 59 students who appeared for the LCSC examination from Taktse CS passed, achieving a 100 percent pass rate, an increase of 1.20 percent compared to last year.
Chimi Wangchuk secured the first position with 93.75 percent, followed by Ugyen Karma and Pem Chodeb, both scoring 90.50 percent.
The third position was shared by four students: Sonam Choden, Tshering Peldon, Zoipa, and Sonam Gyeltshen, all with 89 percent.
The Ministry of Education and Skill Development (MoESD) also released the results for the Class 8 common examinations.
The pass percentage stands at 71.32 percent, a decrease of about four percent compared to last year’s 75.99 percent.
A total of 12,767 students appeared for the examination, though 12,887 candidates were registered.
Deki Seldon from Lhuntse HSS secured the first position with 95.80 percent, followed by Jigme Tshuktrim from Baylling CS and Thinley Dradul Jamtsho, who shared second place with 95.60 percent.
Tshering Chezom from Jampeling CS secured the third position with 94.80 percent.