August 1: The delayed construction of Orong Higher Secondary in Samdrup Jongkhar is hampering the over all learning process of the students.

The school construction was supposed to have been completed in October 2007. It was extended to February 25 this year but the construction is not yet complete. Due to this students attend classes in what is known as the shift system.

DS Tamang is the principal of the school. He said prior to his coming to the school in February he was told every thing is ready.

He said the school is faced with water shortage and doesn’t have toilets, play ground and teachers quarter.

The students said they are not able to concentrate on their lessons with the noise from the machines deployed at the construction.

The project engineer, Saljie said transportation problems hampered the timely completion. The farm road leading to the school becomes inaccessible during the monsoon. He added that some of the raw materials like timber have to be brought from places as far as Bumthang and Trongsa.

Meanwhile, the Dzongkhag Education Officer said the construction was supposed to be started by 2009 but pressure from the local people for a need of a Higher Secondary School in the area forced them to start the school construction this year.

However, the positive side of the story is the school is benefiting the Orongpas and others in Samdrup Jongkhar dzongkhag. They do not have to send their children to schools in far away places. Local people have also been provided with ready market for their farm produce.