The education ministry will reinvestigate whether a karaoke party held on the Tendu Central School campus involved a bar and smoking zone following the availability of new information.

Education minister Norbu Wangchuk said that the ministry has called for a reinvestigation. “A ministerial level investigation will be conducted,” Lyonpo said.

The minister claimed that new information has been received from Samtse. “The new information is that as per our informants initial allegations did actually happen,” he said, adding that the ministry is taking the matter seriously.

Just a few days back, the ministry’s investigation refuted all the allegations an anonymous user Bhu Drukpa posted on Facebook. Bhu Drukpa claimed that a bar and smoking zone were in place for a karaoke party organized from March 5-7.

Kuensel also received information and photographic evidence disputing the findings of the investigation.

The minister has also asked to recall the Tendu Central School principal immediately to the ministry. “A special inquiry will be conducted on the principal,” Lyonpo said.

Department of School Education director general, Karma Tshering said that the letter summoning back the principal has already been sent. “In the letter we have asked the principal to report immediately to the ministry,” he said

Until then, the minister said that it is unclear what will happen. The ministry will evaluate the new information and take action accordingly.

The director general said that another investigation team will leave for Tendu on March 20.

Lyonpo said that during the absence of the principal in the school, the vice principal will officiate.

The karaoke party was held during the three-day Tendu tshechu in the multi-purpose hall of the Central School.

The party was apparently organised for the school’s faculty and officials involved in the tsechu to interact and relax.

According to the findings of the education ministry’s first investigation, the party was monitored by police and army personnel.

Tempa Wangdi