𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐚𝐲𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬

…𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒐𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚, 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆

By Sonam Choden

Access to quality education in rural and geographically challenging regions remains a pressing concern, where infrastructural limitations often impede students’ ability to attend school regularly and perform well academically. Gayshing Goan Primary School, located in Phuntshopelri Gewog under Samtse Dzongkhag, exemplifies these challenges, as children from distant villages endure long and hazardous daily commutes, often under adverse weather conditions. The school currently serves 93 students, many of whom face significant barriers to consistent attendance and effective learning. The lack of a boarding facility has compromised student safety and academic performance, while also imposing financial and emotional burdens on families.

To address these issues, the Gewog administration proposed the development of a boarding facility during the 2021–2022 fiscal year, though the proposal did not materialize. “The local residents have always been asking for boarding facilities and are ready to contribute to the construction and maintenance of the school,” shared Robat Lepcha, the Gup of Phuntshopelri Gewog. Although the initial proposal did not come to fruition, strong community support persists, driven by the collective recognition of the facility’s potential to enhance educational outcomes and promote student well-being. This spirit of collaboration is already evident in the ongoing construction of a four-unit classroom building at the existing school, which is being carried out with support from Penden Cement Authority Limited (PCAL), Lhaki Cement, the Dzongkhag and the Gewog Administration, the NGO, and voluntary from local residents.

The new classrooms are expected to enhance both the quality of instruction and learning outcomes while fostering motivation among students and teachers. The school community expressed its sincere appreciation to all contributors, recognizing that their support extends beyond the physical construction of infrastructure. “Your support is not just building classrooms, it is building a better future for our children,” said Tshering Dema, Principal of Gayshing Primary School.

At present, students from villages such as Tashilakha Uelgyalling face significant barriers in accessing the school. According to Som Bdr Ghalley, the Tshokpa of Gashingma, “Last year, a landslide eroded the main path connecting Tashilakha Uelgyalling to the school. The students and the parents had to stay at the Gashing Community Hall with parents taking turns to take care of the children for a week.” Similarly, he noted that students from the villages of Samarchen and Goenpakha must walk for up to two hours to reach the school, leading to frequent lateness and physical exhaustion, while students from Thongjabi village have to travel 8km, which negatively impacts academic performance. “By the time children return home from school, they are often physically exhausted, leading them to eat and go to sleep without having the energy or capacity to complete their homework,” he said.

“The students are required to begin their daily journey as early as 5:30 a.m. in order to reach school on time, covering a distance of approximately 3 to 4 kilometers. After school concludes at 4:00 p.m., the children must make the return journey, often arriving home late,” said Dorji Lepcha, the Tshokpa of Tashilakha Uelgyalling. Dorji noted that this prolonged and physically demanding routine leaves them exhausted and adversely affects their ability to focus on their studies. Dorji further noted that during the summer months, the challenges intensify as the river swells and the footpaths become muddy and treacherous, making the journey both dangerous and more strenuous for young children. “The absence of school bus services exacerbates the situation, placing physical and emotional strain on students,” he added.

The challenging geographical terrain surrounding Gayshing Goan Primary School has raised significant concerns regarding student safety and academic engagement. Robat Lepcha, the Gup of Phuntshopelri Gewog, stated the need for a boarding school is mandatory, as it can help reduce the risks faced by young children studying in classes PP to VI. “Many students travel daily from villages located as far as 7 kilometers away, a journey that takes over an hour each way and leaves them physically exhausted and less attentive in class,” he said. According to Robat, these risks intensify during the monsoon season, characterized by heavy downpours, windstorms, lightning, and thunder, which often result in blocked roads, fallen trees, and landslides. Moreover, he said that due to the considerable distance to Gashingma Primary School, students from Khetselgang village have opted to enroll at Panbari School, which is perceived as a more accessible alternative.

“During heavy rains, some students are unable to come to school for days due to blocked routes. With a hostel, they can stay safe and continue their education without interruption,” said Tshering Dema, Principal of Gayshing PS. “The boarding facility would offer a safer environment during adverse weather conditions and natural disasters, such as windstorms and encounters with wild animals,” she said. “It would also provide parents with peace of mind, particularly during the monsoon and winter seasons.” The Principal emphasized that a boarding facility would provide structured academic support through supervised study hours, which is especially important for students currently living with elderly caregivers unable to assist with schoolwork. She noted that students’ health, hygiene, and readiness to learn would improve due to reduced travel fatigue and access to better sanitation and medical care. The hostel would also address classroom challenges, as late and tired arrivals currently disrupt learning. With a consistent daily routine, the facility would enhance focus, discipline, and overall academic performance.

The lack of boarding infrastructure has also imposed financial burdens on families, many of whom are forced to secure rented accommodations near the school to facilitate their children’s attendance. Santa Bdr Galley, a parent, explained that he rents accommodation near the school despite owning a home in the village. “If I hadn’t done this,” he said, “my daughters would have had to travel approximately two hours each way just to get to school. That kind of distance every day would have been exhausting and made regular attendance nearly impossible.” Santa also noted that the long commute for his daughters has impacted his ability to engage in agricultural work, as he must focus on their schooling needs.

Jagar Singh Gurung, a parent of two children, a son in class 5 and a daughter in class 3, must travel for approximately two hours to reach the school, as the journey involves uphill terrain, and the return trip takes around one and a half hours. Gurung expressed concern about the physical and emotional toll this commute placed on his children, noting that it caused them considerable distress. As a result, he made the decision to have his children stay with one of the teachers who resides near the school in order to alleviate the burden of the daily journey.

Tashi, the Chief Dzongkhag Education Officer, acknowledged the concerns expressed by both parents and schools regarding the difficulties resulting from the lack of boarding facilities. He explained that these challenges were formally conveyed through a proposal submitted to the relevant authorities, highlighting the community’s shared struggle to secure consistent and safe educational access for students in remote regions. He noted that it has been approximately two months since the proposal was submitted, and they are still awaiting a response from the authorities regarding the outcome.

The persistent challenges faced by students, parents, and educators at Gayshing Goan Primary School highlight the urgent need for a boarding facility to ensure equitable access to education in remote regions. The long and often hazardous commutes endured by students have compromised their academic engagement and health, and have placed undue strain on families, both financially and emotionally. Establishing a boarding facility would address critical issues related to student safety, consistent attendance, academic performance, and overall well-being. It would also reduce the burden on families, enabling them to focus on livelihood activities without compromising their children’s education.