‘School Olympics Mooted to Harness Rural Talent’
Phobrang, Sept 21: After more than two decades, Middle School Phobrang reopened as a middle school on September 20, marking the fulfilment of a long-standing demand by villagers who had awaited its restoration since its downgrade to primary level in 2001. The reopening, presided over by Councillor of Chushul, Konchok Stanzin, alongside Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Durbuk, Manzoor Ahmad, coincided with a vibrant Annual Parents’ Day celebration of schools from Phobrang, Tselo and Lukung.
Addressing a large gathering as Chief Guest, Councillor Stanzin announced a proposal for School Olympics at the zonal level to provide rural students with broader platforms to discover and nurture their talents. He emphasised the need for collective responsibility in strengthening local schools, urging parents, villagers and teachers to work in unison so that institutions serve not only as centres of academic learning but also as spaces where children imbibe cultural values from their elders.
The event drew parents, villagers, Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel and headmasters from neighbouring schools, creating a festive atmosphere. Traditional performances, including the Solchot presented by students, enlivened the occasion, while awards and trophies were presented for academic excellence, cleanliness, punctuality and discipline.
In his address, Stanzin lauded the perseverance of teachers and headmasters who kept village schools active despite hardships, reiterating that local institutions must remain enduring pillars of community education. He appealed for wider participation from villagers beyond the immediate families of enrolled children and reiterated his vision of introducing School Olympics to unearth hidden abilities of students, particularly from sparsely populated areas.
ZEO Ahmad pledged full support for the holistic advancement of schools under his jurisdiction, citing his own experience of working with limited resources to highlight the importance of perseverance in protecting student welfare. Former Councillor of Chushul, Tsering Angchuk, also expressed gratitude to the present leadership and the Education Department for enabling the long-awaited reopening.
For the residents of Phobrang, the revival of the middle school carried deep emotional resonance. The institution had been downgraded following the establishment of a centralised school at Tharuk for the Durbuk Block in 2001, leaving the village without its educational hub. With classrooms reopened and the ribbon ceremonially cut, villagers hailed the moment as the restoration of a vital academic anchor for their children.
The celebrations concluded with a pledge by villagers, teachers and officials to work collectively for improved enrolment, enhanced facilities and a brighter academic future for the region’s children.
