Pelkhil will open on March 15, 2010, just a little less than a month after other schools open across the country. We are delaying our opening to give us a little extra time to tie up loose ends, especially as we build up to our inaugural year.

We understand that some parents are concerned about the implications this might have for our students, particularly those with children in the key examination years of classes 10 and 12. To allay such concerns, we would like to assure you that we will meet all teaching requirements. At a fundamental level we will ensure that the syllabus is completed by conducting extra classes to the extent necessary (please recall that we are providing two extra hours of day-boarding per day - some of this time will be used for extra tuition/classes).

More importantly, we would like to highlight again that our class sizes will be small (no more than 26 on average). This factor, combined with the now well-known calibre of the teachers that we have on our faculty, is what gives us the confidence that we will certainly deliver on the quality education that we have promised. The greater personal attention your child will receive, and the proven track record of our faculty, should more than offset any genuine concerns arising from the late start of the Pelkhil school year.

Now that the Class 10 results are out, the application and registration process for Class 11 has been slightly altered. Additionally, since we currently cannot assess the quality of students that will seek to join Pelkhil, we are unable at this time to announce a clear cut cut-off point.

We have thus decided to adopt a stop-gap measure described in our updated page covering the registration process and fee structure. We will continue to fine tune this process as we get a better picture of the quality of students applying for Class 11, while at the same time try to make admission decisions as early as possible.

The admission process for all other classes remains the same: ie. Assuming basic requirements are met, seats will continue to be allocated on a first come, first served basis for classes 5 through 10.

Update: We have now decided to open Pelkhil to students in grades 5 and 6, regardless of the final number of students.

If you are considering Pelkhil for these classes, we encourage you to complete the registration process in order to confirm a place for your child.

The school construction is progressing steadily, and we are confident that we will be ready when we open our doors to our students on March 15, 2010.

We would like to add the clarification that while three blocks are being built, to function comfortably at the time of opening we require no more than one block (which is Block A near the Thimphu Chhu which is pictured below) and the ground floor of the building in the center (which is the ground floor of Block C where our laboratories are located). The reason for this is the fact that we are taking in less than 50% of our capacity of 624 children in this inaugural year. Additionally, any remaining construction work has been planned to ensure its segregation from the operational areas of the school, keeping in mind all safety considerations for our students.

While we expect to complete all buildings within a few months into the academic year, we hope this clarification will put to rest the perception that we will need all three buildings to begin the school.

Pelkhil has high aspirations which are realizable only if a clear sense of mission is imparted to, and shared by, our students and teachers alike. In this age of complexity and uncertainty, the ideals that one aspires to must necessarily be resilient enough to help one rise to the known and unknown challenges that lie ahead.

The basis of the Pelkhil ethos has thus been set accordingly. It covers a versatile range of aspirations, which will direct the thrust of our efforts as we build our new school, and from which will emerge students with skills and values that are versatile enough to ensure they successfully meet those challenges.

Our teacher recruitment drive is making steady progress. Though there are still several positions to fill, we are highly satisfied with the quality and calibre of those recruited so far.

In fact there are many rumours circulating in town regarding the teachers that we have been able to recruit. We are happy to confirm that those rumours are... true! Check out our faculty listing for the latest on our recruitment drive. The list should be heartening news for parents looking for a really good school in town. Teachers considering Pelkhil may also like to see the list - it will give you an idea of who your colleagues will be as well as highlight remaining vacancies.

A view of Block A as seen from the expressway (Nov 2009). Block A will house 12 spacious and well lit classrooms (6 each on the ground and first floors), and a number of rooms/halls for co-curricular activities (CCA) on the second floor. Block B on the other side is a mirror image of Block A, while the four storeyed Block C in the center (not in picture) will house the laboratories; administration areas; teachers' room, lounge and conference room; Principal's office; and library.

Student registration for classes VII through XI is now open. Take a look at the information on the registration process and our fee structure.

For your convenience, you can submit the completed registration forms and fees at the Better Products office, Changzamtog Service Center (on the STCB level). Please ask for Mr. Ugen Dorji (M: 17702984), our PE Instructor, who will be available during work hours.

We will be offering only 200 seats for the academic year 2010 which is about a third of our intake capacity. So the earlier you register, the better the assurance of a seat reservation. Early registrations will also help us plan more efficiently for the number of classes and sections to arrange.