All Class X students who secured an average of 59.4 percent and above would be enrolled in Class XI in public schools according to the education ministry.

This comes after the education minister JB Rai announced that the government would be enrolling all students who have passed the Bhutan Certificate of Secondary Education (BCSE) 2018 examination in Class XI in public and private schools from this academic session.

Admission in Class XI would be based on merit ranking as per the ministry’s plan in implementing the placement of students in public schools. Scoring 35 percent and above, a total of 12,033 students have passed the examination this year.

Lyonpo JB Rai on January 30 announced that of the 12,033 students, public schools would absorb 7,808 students including the additional 1,424 seats the government created this year. Last year, there were 6,384 seats.

According to the notification, the merit ranking would be based on an aggregate of 297 marks in English and other best four subjects unless specified in the choices of stream and school. The merit order listing for the choice of streams has not been changed.

The remaining 4,225 students would be enrolled in private schools.

“The government would provide full scholarship to all 4,225 students in private schools,” Lyonpo told Kuensel earlier.

“Although there is no cut off point, students would be placed in public and private schools based on merit.” 

On the policy change altering the education conference’s resolution to maintain the cut off point and start the TVET stream by 2020, Lyonpo said that a policy change such as ding away with the cut off point should be made by the Cabinet. “The cabinet after deliberation decided to pre-pone the decision and then implement the change from this academic session. The decision on TVET remains the same.”

According to the notification, admission to Class XI would be provided to only those students who appeared the BCSE 2018. “The respective thromde education officer and dzongkhag education officer should arrange to absorb students in nearest dzongkhags or thromdes if the schools cannot absorb all the qualified students.”

The notification also states that schools should maintain the teacher student ratio in the classroom as per the existing policy including the boarding capacity and the maximum class size of 40 students would have to be maintained.  For higher secondary schools, the existing policy mandates 1:30 teacher student ratio.

“This is to facilitate effective teaching and learning that is attuned to the transformative pedagogy and to avoid overcrowding, maintain safety, cleanliness, comfort and overall wellbeing of students. However, students should study as day-scholars once the boarding seats are filled.”

The qualified students should be at their respective placement centres on February 13 for placement and admission in Class XI.

Meanwhile, the department of school education notified that details regarding the placement of students in private schools would be shared on February 8.

Yangchen C Rinzin