Samtengang
Founded in 1962, Samtengang primary school is located within the Wangduephodrang district. Perched on a mountain plateau, the school offers a breathtaking view of the Himalayas. Initially established as a Hindu Medium Community School with temporary huts, Samtengang now educates 282 students, including 46 with various disabilities.
In 2018, Samtengang distinguished itself as the district's inaugural SEN school, serving a community of over 42,000. The adoption of this SEN program reflects a deep commitment to inclusive education in rural schools. Samtengang, however, is woefully underfunded and faces acute challenges in meeting rising demand. The school's infrastructure is in disrepair. Particularly heartbreaking - the kid’s call one of the school structures a “hen house” as the outside walls have no windows, just metal wiring, which is also the only protection against the cold Himalayan winters.
.jpg)
"Hen House” Classroom BMC Plans To Replace
The SEN teaching space is particularly challenging. It is housed in one of the school's oldest buildings, previously used as staff housing. This structure is ill-equipped for students with disabilities; it features small rooms and narrow doors and is accessible only via a steep dirt path. Its location particularly hinders access for students with physical disabilities, as there is no ramp.
Despite these obstacles, the school's commitment to education is immensely inspiring. Teachers only want to raise awareness so that more students can get an education. So many families in the area do not even know an education for their child is possible.
Bhutan Mindfulness has made a commitment to bolster Samtengang's noble mission by financing the construction of four new SEN-focused classrooms and the enhancement of existing structures. With this expanded teaching space, the school envisions a future where it can double SEN enrollment in the next five years. This would translate to providing education to 50 children otherwise deprived of the opportunity.
The estimated cost for this work is approximately $50,000 USD. Should you wish to help, donate here.
Visit Punakha and the classrooms being built
.jpg)
Khuruthang
Khuruthang Middle School, located in the beautiful Punakha area, was established in 1996 and today has over 1,000 students enrolled. Despite being a larger public school, Khuruthang has only one classroom for special needs education and 19 students. Due to classroom constraints, Khuruthang is in the unenviable position of turning away new families. We find this heartbreaking, mainly because there aren't good alternatives, and there hasn't been an option for SEN schooling in this district until recently (2021).
When we visited Khuruthang, we met all the children, including one in her early 20s. We asked how she could still be attending primary school at her age. The teachers told us that she had always wanted to attend school, but previously, there was no option. We further learned that this girl has severe learning disabilities but never gives up. Despite her aging out, the teachers keep her at school because she has bleak prospects without further education.
In the functional classes, the students are taught prevocational skills such as basic cooking, basket weaving, knitting, and tailoring, all in a shared and cramped classroom. What is truly remarkable is that these children have sold their baskets to raise funds for additional vocational equipment. They are essentially self-funding their own growth, a testament to their resourcefulness and potential. This not only reflects the hard work of the students, teachers, and administrators, but also offers a glimpse into a future where these children's abilities and talents can lead to purposeful work and more independent living.
Bhutan Mindfulness has committed to funding and overseeing the construction of two classrooms at Khuruthang. Tshering has spent nearly a month at the school with workers, and the classrooms are almost complete. The additional space will provide many children, who would otherwise be confined to their homes, with an opportunity to learn and contribute with their unique abilities. We are deeply grateful for the kind-hearted teachers at Punakha and the inspiring children whose efforts will benefit others in the region.