Nim Dorji | Trongsa

Wanting to give their school a facelift, the management of Langthel School in Trongsa put together a project proposal and asked local business establishments for support. School staff and parents volunteered to execute the work.

Today, the school’s initiative is getting a lot of attention in the locality.

Large portraits of the monarchs are displayed above the assembly grounds. The road leading to the hostels and dining hall is paved with concrete. Railings have been placed in risky areas. Streetlights have been installed. Parking for staff vehicles is also maintained.

School authorities said parents provided support by sponsoring the portraits of the Kings, Langthel gewog supported the purchase of cement, Jaypee Company provided sand, and a quarry at Yurmung supplied gravels for paving around 300m of the road.

School staff and parents contribute voluntary labour

“The Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project Authority (MHPA) provided the streetlights and the Department of Roads (DoR) provided the railings,” said Dorji, the school principal.

He said he is happy that parents and officials in the locality supported the school’s proposal. “If we collaborate, we don’t have to wait for the government budget,” he said. “I am proud of the teamwork.”

Principal Dorji said if they initiate the work and seek support, people help.

Students are also happy with the facelift.

A Class VIII student, Nima Dem, said the school changed after the project execution. She said that they will not worry even if it rains now. “The footpath used to be muddy before.”

Boarding students are also looking forward to studying under the streetlights.

The school’s vice principal, Tshering Dorji, said they use technology to complement teaching. He said that they use projectors in the class for teaching. “Teachers even offer remedial classes for those who struggle with their studies.”

According to the vice principal, the school has plans to start a smart classroom. “

“We revived the agriculture programme. We will plant 1,000 saplings of papaya and construct a greenhouse.”

Langthel Lower Secondary School was established in 1976 and has 312 students and 38 staff.

Meanwhile, similar programmes have been initiated in schools such as Bemji Primary School.

According to a teacher, Pema Tashi, the school constructed a clock tower, an outdoor library, and a scout park through initiatives from teachers and fundraising by the school. “We also provide skills to students by engaging them to make signboards on GNH, environment, and quotes.”

Bemji residents are happy with the initiatives and activities the school conducted to renovate the school.

“The teachers are doing all they could to make the school a better place for students without waiting for budget from the government,” Keza Dem, 43, said. “It’s good to see students looking forward to go to school because of the facilities.”

Edited by Tashi Dema