Starting yesterday, Thimphu thromde introduced an evening study at Zilnon Namgyelling Middle Secondary School in Thimphu.

This was a continuation of the school’s evening study for classes four to seven.

Zilnon Namgyelling school’s principal, Sonam Phuntsho, said that with the thromde’s new initiative, they will provide the facility to all the students in the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) premises irrespective of the school they study.

He said that  a survey conducted by the school revealed that there are about 191 students in the campus. “But the turnout was less than what we expected,” he said.

It was learnt that only about 40 students attended the evening study yesterday.

The evening studies will be held from 5pm to 7pm in the school.

The principal said two teachers from the school will monitor the evening study. “Teachers are not paid for the additional responsibility as of now.”

The initiative, according to Thimphu thrompon Kinlay Dorjee is expected to keep the students engaged and spend their time meaningfully.

He said the students will attend the evening studies during week days. “If it goes well, we can even propose to have on Saturdays.”

Thrompon Kinlay Dorjee also said evening studies will be introduced in schools in Dechencholing and Lungtenphu.

He said that the children of the armed force personnel are vulnerable to fall into bad companies.

Principal Sonam Phuntsho said that they initiated the program aiming to enhance academic excellence and also to provide space for children to study because children live in congested houses.

The thrompon said that the thromde will look into providing overtime allowance to teachers who monitor the evening studies.

The thrompon, during the recent thromde council meeting, urged the officials and thromde thuemis, to work with a focus on solving youth-related issues in the country.

He said that according to the Local Government Act, it is the thromde’s responsibility is to keep the city clean, beautiful and peaceful. “Solving youth problem and community issues will help in maintaining peace in the city.”

Meanwhile, thromde thuemis also suggested the possibility of initiating evening study in schools near labour camps in the city for the children of the labourers.

Dechen Tshomo