Government has not decided on school rationalization policy: education minister

Rationalization policy of small unsustainable schools was started during the 10th FYP and it is not a new idea, Education Minister Mingbo Drukpa told journalists yesterday. He said the ministry already has a road map on rationalization of small and unsustainable schools based on information gathered from local governments and dzongkhags. It is not the ministry to unilaterally decide on closure of schools. The matter has to be discussed with gewogs and local principals, he said.

Consultation of rationalization began in 2010 and will continue through the 11th Plan period. He added that some specialized teachers had to teach all subjects in schools with very less students. This is neither good for the teacher or the students, he said. Students should be able to move to bigger schools which are equipped with proper faculty, he said.

Bhutan has 8,500 government teachers and 1,074,000 students in 533 schools and 175 extended class rooms.