February 15: As schools across the kingdom ready for the new academic session, private higher secondary schools in the capital are struggling to cope with rush of students seeking admission.

More than 4,000 class X students did not qualify admission in government schools. The majority of them are seeking admission in private schools.

The conference hall of Rinchen Higher Secondary School in Thimphu is crammed with students seeking admission.

Last year around 8,000 students appeared for the class X examination. Out of that only about 3,000 students will be enrolled in government schools. More than 4000 students will have to seek admission in private schools.

Only a few years ago, private schools with class XI and XII struggled to find students. Now it is the other way round. Students are struggling to get admission in private schools.

The Principal of Nima Higher Secondary School, Sonam Wangyel, said students from other dzongkhags are also coming to study in the capital adding to the admission pressure. He said with insufficient classrooms, they can take in only certain number of students.

Nima Higher Secondary School will take in 268 students for the new academic session.

Rinchen Higher Secondary School will enroll 342 students and only those who have scored 50% and above will get admission.

Kelki Higher Secondary School will take in 320 students. At Kelki, only students who have an aggregate of 53% and above will get admission.

Altogether the three schools will take in only about 1,000 students. This leaves the remaining 3,000 students with not much choice. They will have to either study elsewhere or look for a job. Not an easy decision either way.