Nine primary schools across Zhemgang District are confronting a severe drop in student enrollment, with a combined total of just 122 students slated for the upcoming academic year. This alarming trend threatens the sustainability of these educational institutions, which currently offer classes from pre-primary through grade three.
The affected schools include Digala in Bardo, Nimshong and Thrisa in Shingkhar, Kikhar in Nangkor, Duenmang and Tsanglajong in Trong, Tradijong in Phangkhar, Repati in Ngangla, and Barpong in Bjoka. Tradijong Primary School exemplifies the crisis, anticipating only six students next year due to a lack of new enrollments.
Collectively, these schools employ 19 teachers and 17 support staff, maintaining an impressive teacher-student ratio of 1:5. However, recent developments have exacerbated the situation. Nimshong Primary School recently lost its two teachers to transfers, leaving the institution temporarily without instructional staff.
In response to the declining numbers, the Dzongkhag Education Sector is contemplating merging these schools with nearby boarding facilities. Currently, all affected schools except Duenmang and Barpong lack boarding options, though they provide two meals—breakfast and lunch—to their students. “We will assure parents of our readiness to enroll students in boarding schools while also improving facilities, including maintenance and repairs,” stated a district education official. “The existing boarding schools have sufficient capacity to absorb additional students.”
For example, Tradijong Primary School could potentially merge with Gomphu Primary School, located approximately two hours away by road. Proponents argue that such mergers would not only stabilize enrollment numbers but also enhance academic performance and provide better nutritional support. “It is evident that boarding students perform better academically than those who attend as day scholars,” the official added.
Boarding schools in the district are typically staffed with caregivers and are equipped with amenities like washing machines, which further support student welfare. Despite these potential benefits, the proposed mergers are facing strong opposition from local leaders and residents.
Sangay Phuntsho, the Tshogpa representative for Repati in Ngangla, voiced concerns over the plan: “The school, which was built through labor contributions by the residents, has greatly benefited the community. Without a school in the community, it will only bring more challenges.” Repati Primary School, once accommodating 26 students, is set to house only eight next year after class reductions and student transfers.
Local government leaders argue that investing in existing school infrastructure could reverse the decline in enrollment without necessitating mergers or closures. “How can we increase enrollment when students are being transferred to other schools?” Phuntsho questioned, highlighting the contradiction between school downgrades and enrollment efforts.
Thinley Wangchuk, the Tshogpa representative for Thrisa in Shingkhar, cautioned against immediate closures, suggesting that enrollment trends might stabilize or improve over time. “Mergers and closures should be a last resort after all options are explored,” Wangchuk emphasized, advocating for patience and continued support for local schools.
The struggle to maintain viable educational institutions is not new in Zhemgang. Last year, Tali Primary School, established in 2004, was shuttered after enrollment dwindled to eight students. Efforts to reopen the school were unsuccessful, with the Prime Minister denying requests to reinstate it. The school building has since been repurposed for agricultural and other community activities.
Zhemgang currently hosts 29 schools, including four high schools and 14 that offer boarding facilities. The district serves 4,032 students with a teaching staff of 270, and an additional 23 teachers are expected to join next year. However, demographic shifts pose ongoing challenges. The population of Zhemgang has declined by 1,190 residents over the past seven years, from 17,763 in 2017 to an estimated 16,384 by the end of 2025, according to district projections.
Educators attribute the decline in student numbers to a combination of population decrease and migration, as many families opt for urban schools with more comprehensive facilities and opportunities. As Zhemgang grapples with these demographic and educational challenges, the future of its primary schools hangs in the balance, awaiting solutions that balance community needs with sustainable educational practices.
