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The previous government, Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT), introduced a policy that removed the class 10 cut-off point, enabling all students to progress to class 11, regardless of their academic performance. This policy was designed to provide every student with equal opportunities to complete their education, particularly benefiting those from low-income families who were previously excluded due to the cut-off point system.
As a result, public schools became the default option for most class 10 graduates, with no tuition fees required for their progression. This significantly impacted private high schools, which once had many students in class 11 who could not meet the cut-off points or even those who met the cut-off point but wished to get enrolled in private schools.
With fewer students enrolling, many private institutions faced financial strain and some were forced to shut down. By 2022, 10 out of 21 private high schools were at risk of closure due to these changes.
While the government introduced scholarships and subsidies to help private schools transition, including financial support for day students (Nu 30,000) and boarders (Nu 50,000), the removal of the cut-off points still led to the closure of several schools and left many teachers without jobs.
However, this year, the Education Minister, Yeezang De Thapa, announced that the class 10 cut-off point will be reintroduced starting next year.
She clarified that the new cut-off point will be merit-based, meaning that only students who meet the required academic standards will be absorbed into government schools, while those who do not meet the criteria will be placed in private schools.
The previous policy change, which led to the closure of several private high schools, had a profound impact on the private education sector, with many schools struggling financially due to the lack of students.
Some schools have even been sold off as a result of the previous government’s decision to lift the cut-off point, which significantly impacted enrollment. For many of these institutions, the financial strain caused by the lack of students in higher secondary levels made it impossible to continue operations.
The reintroduction of the cut-off point is seen as a step towards balancing access to education, allowing private institutions to also play a more significant role in the educational system.
The Bhutanese spoke with several private schools, both those currently offering class 11 admissions and others that have stopped due to the policy changes.
Schools like Pelkhil Higher Secondary School have continued offering admissions to classes 11 and 12. Currently, there is one section for class 11 and two sections for class 12 students. However, the principal of the school stated that, at present, only the science stream is available for both class 11 and class 12. “Our school is following the Cambridge International Curriculum, and our aim is to prepare our children for the future,” she said.
She further clarified that there are no plans to introduce an arts stream, as the focus is on providing a strong foundation in science to meet global expectations.
Schools like Rinchen Higher Secondary School, which were also on the verge of closing down under the previous policy, have expressed optimism with the reintroduction of the cut-off point. The school stated that if the cut-off point is lifted, they plan to admit more class 11 students next year.
One of the private school representatives said, “When the government started to absorb all the class 11 students in public schools, the private schools were left with only a few students, and this was running at a loss. So, we had to shut down the higher secondary section.”
He also expressed doubts about the likelihood of previously shut-down private schools reopening, saying, “I don’t think all of the schools that closed will be starting again just because of this policy, as many have already experienced the hardships of being unable to pay off loans.
A representative from a private school in Paro explained that the school had to close its higher secondary section due to the previous government’s policy changes. She said, “We will no longer offer a higher secondary section because we cannot predict when the policy might change again, and there is a lack of consistency in government policies.”
The paper reached out to several private school owners last year, including one from Kelki School in Trashigang, which was also affected by the policy change. The representative shared that the school struggled to pay off loans on time due to the reduced enrollment and financial difficulties caused by the policy.
As a result, the school, which had previously offered class 11 and 12 admissions, was shut down. However, the school has now been purchased by the present government with plans to transform it into a Special School.
One such school is Sonam Kuenphen Higher Secondary School, which has now been sold. The owner explained that she could no longer run the school due to the policy change.
When asked about her plans for the school, the new owner said, “I have been paying off the debts, as we did not get any approval to continue.”
The new owner shared that with the reintroduction of the cut-off point policy from next year, the school is now prepared to admit students for classes 10, 11, and 12. “Everything is ready, the only thing needed are books,” she said. “Once we get approval from the officials, this school can easily accommodate or give admissions to classes 10, 11, and 12, or it could even be transformed into a nursing college.”
With the reintroduction of the cut-off point next year, some private schools are hopeful about the possibility of recovery, while others remain hesitant and are not yet ready to reopen their higher secondary sections.
The question is whether the new policy will encourage more private schools to reopen their higher secondary sections or if many will continue to face financial challenges due to the change in government policies.
