Chukha Central School, established in 1977, is currently undergoing significant infrastructure enhancements as part of the government’s educational strengthening initiative under the 13th Plan. This initiative responds to long-standing infrastructure challenges and aims to improve learning conditions. Key upgrades this year include the construction and renovation of several facilities, notably a new boys’ hostel, nine staff quarters, an integrated academic block, and a dining hall designed for approximately 600 students.
The Ministry of Education and Skill Development has initiated these developments, having identified deteriorating infrastructure as a major barrier to quality education in central schools. Due to increasing student intake from neighboring schools such as Kamji Middle Secondary School, Logchina Middle Secondary School, Darla Middle Secondary School, and Dungna Middle Secondary School, the existing facilities have become inadequate for current enrollment and modern educational needs.
The new boys’ hostel is particularly noteworthy; it replaces an aging structure that posed significant maintenance challenges and was originally built during the Chukha Hydropower Project. A budget of Nu 94.4 million has been allocated for the new hostel, which will house 304 students and include a warden’s quarter. The Department of Infrastructure Development under the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is overseeing the project, which is expected to be completed by June next year. Currently, about 90 boarding students are temporarily accommodated in a multipurpose hall, as the girls’ hostel was fully renovated in prior years.
These infrastructure improvements are part of a national effort to bolster central schools, targeting a total of 37 institutions, of which 20 are central schools and 17 are cluster schools across 20 dzongkhags. The government has also implemented contractor performance commitments aimed at enhancing construction accountability and quality, while combining new builds with existing renovations through a design-and-build approach.