The Bhutanese Leading the way.
In Bhutan, the decline in student enrollment in rural areas presents a troubling trend. As families increasingly migrate to urban centers in search of better opportunities, rural schools are facing decrease student populations, with many struggling to remain operational.
While urban schools, particularly in Thimphu, face overcrowding and the pressure of high student enrollment, rural institutions are closing their doors due to a lack of students.
Dorona Gewog under Dagana Dzongkhag’s Gup, Tashi Wangdi, shared his concerns about the decreasing number of students attending the only school in his gewog, which serves children from five different chiwogs. He said, “Compared to last year, there has been about 10-12 students changed their school, leaving only 65 students enrolled.”
The school in Dorona Gewog is one of many rural institutions that offer informal boarding facilities. An informal boarding school in this context suggests that while the school provides a place for students to live during the school term, these facilities might not adhere to the formal, regulated standards of traditional boarding schools. As a result, some families may opt for alternative schooling options, or send their children to urban areas in search of better educational opportunities.
In contrast to the declining numbers in some rural schools, Khatoed Gewog in Gasa Dzongkhag has seen a surprising increase in student enrollment. According to Gup Tshering Dorji, the enrollment rate at the local school has risen from 300 students last year to 500 students this year.
The primary reason for this increase, he believes, is the arrival of a new principal, who replaced the officiating principal from the previous year. “Now the new management is running smoothly, and the boarding facilities have also been improved,” Gup Tshering Dorji shared. The improved leadership and upgraded boarding facilities appear to have played a crucial role in drawing more students back to the school.
However, despite the positive developments, Gup Damchoe mentioned that there is the lack of proper facilities for sports and recreational activities. “There is no proper place for students to play sports,” he said. The absence of sports facilities not only affects students’ physical well-being but also limits their opportunities for extracurricular engagement.
In Goshing Gewog, located in Zhemgang Dzongkhag, the situation is no different. With two schools serving the gewog, neither has more than 100 students enrolled. According to a local source, the primary reason for this low enrollment is the poor boarding facilities at these schools.
One of the schools requires students to walk 3-4 kilometers to reach the school, which is a significant barrier for families, particularly those with younger children.
“The Gewog’s budget is not enough to repair the hostel and build a proper boarding school for the students,” the source said.
Despite repeated concerns raised during parents’ meetings, where parents shared their worries about the long distances their children have to walk. “During the parents-teacher meetings too, the parents were worried that their children have to walk 3-4 kilometers to reach school and were requesting for boarding facilities,” the source said.
Additionally, both schools in Goshing Gewog are struggling with a shortage of teachers, which has directly impacted the quality of education. With teaching positions not being filled, the overall learning experience suffers, further dissuading families from sending their children to these schools.
The source said, “That’s how the students end up leaving for urban schools, where boarding facilities are much better than those available in rural schools.”
The Government’s Response
Addressing this issue, Minister of Education, Yeezang De Thapa, during the recent Meet the Press, outlined the Ministry’s efforts to both address overcrowding in urban areas and support rural schools. One of the key measures is the strengthening of the feeder school system, which will help optimize student distribution and relieve pressure on urban schools.
Lyonpo Yeezang said, “For long-term sustainability and to ensure quality education, strategically located Central Schools with strong enrollment trends are being expanded and modernized. These schools will also prioritize inclusivity, ensuring that students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds receive uniforms and essential school supplies, so that economic barriers do not hinder access to education.”
Additionally, significant investments are being made in rural education infrastructure. The Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) is committing nearly Nu. 20 billion for school upgrades, digital learning tools, and enhanced connectivity, especially for rural areas.
Lyonpo said, “MoESD is also focusing on improving teacher quality, with nearly Nu. 1 billion allocated for upskilling and reskilling the educators.”
