𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐏 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐮 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

…𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒍𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒕𝒔

By Kinzang Lhamo

Parents in the capital are facing uncertainty following the Ministry of Education and Skills Development’s decision to raise the minimum age for Pre-Primary school admission to six years for the 2026 academic session. While the ministry has announced a one-time flexibility for children who are at least five years and six months old, many parents in Thimphu continue to struggle to secure seats for their children due to limited capacity in government schools.

Parents whose children fall within the transitional age group are now confronted with difficult choices. Some are considering enrolling their children in schools outside Thimphu, while others are weighing the option of withholding admission for a year. For many working parents, relocation is not a practical solution, as most are employed in the capital and cannot easily send their children to other dzongkhags.

Education Minister Lyonpo Yeezang De Thapa said the ministry has put measures in place to support children and parents during the transition period. She said that the minimum age for Class PP admission is now five years as of March 1.
“For the 2026 intake, Thimphu Thromde has extended accommodation, allowing children aged five years, four months, and twenty-five days as of March 1, 2026, to be considered for admission,” Lyonpo said.

The adjustment involves moving the earlier cut-off date from February 5 and is intended to widen access to Pre-Primary education for more children during the transition phase. According to the ministry, in previous years, admissions generally accommodated children aged five years and seven months and above.

Under the current provision, additional children are now eligible for entry into PP classes. However, Lyonpo Yeezang De Thapa acknowledged that admissions in high-demand areas such as Thimphu continue to be constrained by limited school capacity.

For parents who are unable to secure seats in government schools, available alternatives include enrolling their children in private schools or continuing their education in Early Childhood Care and Development centers. The minister also acknowledged the growing population in the capital and the increasing pressure on school infrastructure, stating that the ministry is planning systematically to adjust within existing resources while ensuring fairness and maintaining the quality of early childhood education.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to a responsible transition to the revised school entry age, balancing accessibility with the sustainability of educational services. While challenges remain, the government aims to provide as many children as possible with the opportunity to begin formal education under the new policy, while managing logistical limitations faced by schools in Thimphu.

Meanwhile, parents have expressed frustration over the limited options available. Sonam Yangdon, a working parent, said, “Despite multiple attempts to enroll my daughter in school, I was unable to secure the slots. It is always full.” She added that balancing work responsibilities with visiting multiple schools to seek admission is extremely difficult.

Another parent, Phub Tshering, said, “I have tried to enroll my child in government schools, but the capacity is low. As parents, we are forced to admit our children to private schools. We would be grateful if the ministry looks into the matter and comes up with a solution for the children of Bhutan.”

Tashi Wangmo, a civil servant, said that although her son meets the admission criteria, he is still attending an ECCD center due to the high demand for school places in Thimphu. “We are hopeful this matter will be resolved soon,” she said.

As the 2026 academic session approaches, both parents and authorities continue to navigate the challenges posed by the transition to a higher minimum admission age. The situation highlights the strain on urban school infrastructure in the capital and the need for sustained planning and support to address growing educational demand in Thimphu.