Vacation: Samdrupjongkhar Dzongkhag Tshogdu (DT) endorsed the decision that schools should continue with the existing winter and summer vacations – two weeks summer break and 59 days winter break.

Although there were differing views all the 19 members of DT voted to keep the existing system.

The discussion arose after the dzongkhag’s education officer informed the DT members that one of the resolutions of the bi-annual DEO’s conference in January was to get feedback from parents whether they would prefer extending summer vacation.

DEO Rinchen Gyeltshen said that since the DT was the last of the year, it was an appropriate time to discuss the agenda. The gups were asked to collect feedback or opinions from the people before the DT.

The decision will be forwarded to the education ministry.

Gups said that children can help their parents in the fields during summer and earn from temporary jobs during winter. Some were of the view that summer and winter vacations should have equal number of days.

Dewathang Gup said that since there are not many construction works in summer where children could do temporary jobs, they could do so in winter.

Orong Gup said that winter vacation is also a time when children can spend some quality time with parents.

Phuntshothang Gup reminded the members that what is important is the vacation should benefit the children.

Yangchen C Rinzin,  Samdrupjongkhar