Thinley Namgay  

Class X and XII students under Thimphu dzongkhag have been studying in the self-containment mode starting January 23.

The dzongkhag education sector initiated this to help engage the students meaningfully before appearing board examination in March.

The four schools that operate as self-containment facility are Khasadrapchu MSS, Kuzhugchen MSS, Wangbama Central School, and Yangchengatshel MSS.

At Yangchengatshel MSS, Class IX and X students are already in their school  and  45 class X day scholar students are brought to the facility. At Wangbama, only two Class X students are day scholar and are being accommodated in the facility.

A total of 116 Class X day scholars were accommodated at Khasadrapchu MSS and 41 at Kuzhugchen MSS. There are 408 Class X and XII students in these facilities at present. Class IX students are taking online classes.

In Khasadrapchu and Kuzhugchen, the classroom was converted to hostels and staff residence.

Chief dzongkhag education officer, Tashi Namgyel, said that exams were nearing and around 10-15 percent of teaching was not completed. “We want to provide a safe environment for the students to prepare for the board examination and to ensure continuity of the academic year. Until the Covid-19 situation subsides, this initiative will continue.”

The teachers and students underwent antigen test before shifting to the self-contain facility.

“Kitchen, food, lodging and Covid-19 safety measures are all in place. All the schools have enough wash stations, functional water supply, food disinfectant material, facemasks, face shields, soaps, and hand sanitisers,” Tashi Namgyel said.

Teachers and students from thromde areas are undergoing a week-long quarantine at the Genekha Lower Secondary School.

Genekha Lower Secondary School is the identified quarantine centre.