New schools in Phuentsholing to ease admission pressure, while admission challenge continue in other dzongkhags

2026-03-23 - 08:41

Schools in several dzongkhags across Bhutan are facing growing admission challenges due to limited classroom capacity, and a shortage of schools in areas with increasing student populations. Despite ongoing efforts to expand infrastructure, many parents continue to struggle each year to secure school admissions for their children, particularly in urban centers where demand far exceeds available seats. The issue has left parents concerned about their children’s access to education and has highlighted the strain on existing school infrastructure in certain regions. The problem is most evident in urban dzongkhags such as Thimphu and Phuentsholing, where both population and student numbers are rising rapidly. Many parents say their children are unable to gain admission to schools within their residential areas. The root of the issue lies in the limited number of schools and classrooms in certain gewogs, especially in fast-growing areas and even in some remote regions. With only a few schools serving large populations, classroom capacity is quickly filled, leaving many students without placement in nearby schools. This shortage of infrastructure has put pressure on both schools and families, as schools struggle to accommodate increasing numbers while parents are forced to make difficult decisions regarding their children’s education. In response to these challenges, local governments in different dzongkhags are taking steps to manage the growing demand. Addressing the issue, Phuentsholing Thrompon, Uttar Kumar Rai, acknowledged that admission pressure continues to increase, particularly in urban areas where population growth and internal migration remain significant. He said the Thromde has already introduced strategic measures to expand school capacity and improve access to education. According to him, a new primary school at Pekarshing is being designed to accommodate over 500 students, which will help ease the burden on the two existing primary schools in the area. In addition, a three-storied academic building is being constructed at Phuentsholing Rigsar Higher Secondary School to further strengthen the education infrastructure. “This expansion is expected to improve student retention by providing adequate facilities for learners to continue their education within the Thromde, thereby reducing the need for relocation or transfer to other schools,” he said. He added that the main goal of these initiatives is to ensure access to education for both local children and those whose parents are transferred to the region for work, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity. He also noted that Phuentsholing has the potential to develop into a major educational hub due to its strategic location, adding that partnerships with reputed Indian or international schools could enhance education standards and contribute to economic growth. However, the situation remains more challenging in some gewogs where infrastructure expansion is limited. In Darla Gewog under Chukha, the Gup told this paper that there are over a thousand students in the area. The gewog has three schools, two primary schools and one higher secondary school. While there are no major issues at the primary level, the higher secondary school faces significant challenges. “The highest number of students is at the high school, and because we have only one school and limited classroom capacity, we have to keep the number of sections limited,” he said. He also noted that the lack of classrooms has affected the streams offered at the school. He said, “The school only has Arts and Commerce streams because there aren’t enough classrooms for Science streams.” “The boarding facilities are also insufficient for students,” he added. Moreover, since many parents work within the gewog, students who are unable to secure admission are often sent to schools in other gewogs. For Gelephu Thromde, the Thrompon said that although admission pressure still exists, the situation has improved this year. He explained that while most parents and students prefer schools under the Thromde, this creates challenges as some seats must also be reserved for students whose parents are transferred to the area. He added that future developments aligned with the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) vision are expected to support the establishment of new schools. “There will be international schools and colleges aligned with Gelephu Mindfulness City’s vision,” he said, noting that this would create more opportunities for students. This paper also reached out to Thimphu Thromde regarding plans to address admission pressure, particularly in seven identified schools where a budget of Nu 1.5 to 1.6 billion has been allocated for drainage, school infrastructure, and road widening works. These schools, including Sherubgatshel School, Jungshina Primary School, Chubachu Primary School, Loseling Middle Secondary School, and Babesa Primary and Higher Secondary School, are expected to expand to additional grade levels through the construction of new buildings. However, when asked for updates to the Thimphu Thromde, the paper did not receive any updates. A similar follow-up sent to the Ministry of Education and Skills Development also did not receive any concrete response, with the ministry stating that there are no such plans as of now. Admission pressure remains a major concern in Thimphu Thromde, largely due to it being the capital city and one of the most populated dzongkhags. During the recent PP admissions, many parents living and working in Thimphu were unable to secure placements for their children. As urbanization and internal migration continue to rise, the demand for school admissions is expected to grow further. Without the timely expansion of infrastructure, admission challenges are likely to persist, placing continued pressure on both families and the education system.