Education: In a move to reduce the workload on teachers, dzongkhag education offices across the country have started recruiting matrons and wardens for schools in their respective areas.

This follows the national education conference’s endorsement to recruit around 200 matrons and wardens. Currently teachers have been fulfilling the role of matrons and wardens in addition to their academic responsibilities.

The recruited wardens and matrons will also assume mess hall and student health responsibilities.

Mongar chief dzongkhag education officer Ugyen Thinley said that Lhuentse and Mongar have recruited 14 men and 14 women for the posts. Among the 28 people recruited, 18 will be placed in different schools in Mongar and 10 will be sent to schools in Lhuentse. “They will have to report to their respective schools by February 20,” Ugyen Thinley said.

For now, the matrons and wardens will be placed in lower, middle and higher secondary schools with boarding facilities. Central, autonomous and non-central schools will also be provided with matron and wardens but on a case-by-case basis.

Samtse has also recruited six matrons and six wardens. “They will be reporting to their respective schools by the end of this month,” Samtse chief education officer Karma Sonam Chophel said.

Chukha has recruited six matrons and wardens. Samdrupjongkhar and Pemagatshel recruited in total 26 people for matron and warden. Ten of the 26 were for Samdrupjongkhar and 16 are for schools in Pemagatshel.

“The matrons and wardens have already reported to their respective schools on February 15 after orientation,” Samdrupjongkhar deputy chief education officer Ngawang Tshering said.

While applicants who have passed class XII are being accepted for the two posts, preference is being given to university graduates.

The dzongkhags are also working on recruiting supporting staff such as administrative officers, lab technicians and store in-charges.

Ugyen Thinley said that while there are also primary schools with boarding facilities, the ministry hasn’t clarified whether these schools are entitled to matrons and wardens.

Mongar has five primary schools offering boarding facilities.

Tempa Wangdi

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