Bhutan : Private schools in Thimphu grapple with admission pressure

February 27: Private high schools in the capital are grappling with increasing admission pressure in class 11 as the new academic session begins. Principals of the schools said there are more students seeking admission than seats.

This morning, many high school students who did not qualify for admission in government schools rushed to private schools in the capital to seek admission. Holding files of academic transcripts and other documents, the students queued outside the schools waiting for the selection interview. The principal of Kelhi Higher Secondary School said they have received over 500 admission forms but the school can enroll only about 350 students who have scored 57 percent and above.

Nima and Rinchen Higher Secondary Schools are also taking in about 350 students each. Both schools have received more admission forms than the available number of seats. In Nima Higher Secondary School, students are enrolled in class 11 based on the character certificate and other documents. Rinchen Higher Secondary School is taking in students with a minimum of 45 marks in English, Maths and Dzongkha. Students who did not get admission in private schools in the capital said they will apply in private schools in other dzongkhags.

In government high schools in the capital, the majority of the students are opting for science stream. At the Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School, more than 250 students are seeking admission in science stream against 160 slots. Last year over 7,500 students sat for class 10 board examinations.

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