Ugyen Academy (UA)

Ugyen Academy (UA) is a private school in Punakha, Bhutan, for classes VII-XII and also provides boarding facilities.

History

Ugyen Academy opened on 3 April 2002 with 154 students. The school was founded by His Excellency Yab Dasho Ugyen Dorji (father of the four Queen Mothers Dorji Wangmo, Tshering Pem, Tshering Yangdon and Sangay Choden Wangchuck of Bhutan and the former prime minister Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup).[1] It started as a pet project of Honorable Dasho Yab Ugyen Dorji (1925–2019) and Yum Thinley Choden. It was a wish fulfilled for the local people and a hope for the students who did not meet the government cut off point. The school made steady progress and the enrollment rose year by year. It is the first and only authentic international school in the Kingdom, where wholesome education is offered.[2]

Location

UA is set in a very perfect place in the pristine valley of Punakha, a three-hour drive from the capital city of Bhutan. UA is situated in the midst of Khuruthang town (Punakha District). It is located between Khuruthang Middle Secondary School and Khuruthang town that is 4km before reaching Punakha Dzong.[3]

About the Principal

Norbu Gyaltshen has been the principal of the school since its establishment in 2002. He has a degree certificate and masters in science from the University of New England, New South Wales. He is also the recipient of the University's Honours Roll for the project Mission Possible, UNE, NSW.[4] He served as a teacher for 27 years and as a tutor to His Majesty the Fifth King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan. He received a precious award as an educationist. He became the first recipient of a white kabney without fringes and a patang from His Majesty. The honor was granted in recognition of the important role he played and being an epitome of teachers in the nation.[5]

Education and Academics

The school welcomes students from every part of the nation, not depriving the international scholars too. It also provides opportunities for international students. There are students from Thailand, India, and South Korea studying regular classes. The teaching faculty consists of 47 members which include 32 experienced Bhutanese teachers and 5 professional Indian teachers.[6] Academics has always been the topmost priority and concern for Ugyen Academy. It is one of the best private schools. It also holds the record for being among the best schools in the country for producing top results every year during the standardized BCSE (Bhutan Certificate of Secondary Education) and BHSEC (Bhutan Higher Secondary Education Certificate) exams. It is among the top schools in the country at both the middle school level and the high school level.[7] The school started to maintain consistency and give the best.[8][9][10]

Sports

The school has always been giving the top priority to academics without diminishing the wholesome education and co-curricular activities. Not only academics but also UA is very popular in games and sports both at the school level and at the national level. Students enjoy the facility of sports in UA such as football, volleyball, swimming, cricket, and many indoor games. UA also focuses on sports and participates with hope at the dzongkhag level and national level and dominated the 7th National School Games with the highest number of medals held in Khuruthang Middle Secondary School and Ugyen Academy in Punakha.[11] Football is the most popular games played by the students. It is the only school to take part in Bhutan National League with the name Ugyen Academy F.C. (Ugyen Academy Football Club). Ugyen Academy F.C. represented Bhutan in the 2013 AFC President's Cup, as the champions of the 2012–13 Bhutan National League.[12][13][14]

References
  1. Of Rainbows and Clouds: The Life of Yab Ugyen Dorji As Told to His Daughter
  2. "Schooll Profile". Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  3. "School Profile". Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  4. "Who is Who". Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  5. "Ugyen Academy principal wins unique honour". Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  6. "School Profile". Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  7. Pem, Tandin. "Top schools of Bhutan". Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  8. Pokhrel, Nirmala. "How schools fared in 2014". Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  9. Pokhrel, Nirmala. "Not grading but identifying strengths and weakness: EMSSD". Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  10. "Academic Statistics". Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  11. "Ugyen Academy dominates National School Games". Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  12. Palden, Karma. "Ugyen Academy dominates National School Games". Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  13. Phuntsho, Tashi. "Ugyen Academy FC win national league by a single point". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  14. "Ugyen Academy FC in Sri Lanka for AFC President's Cup". Retrieved 8 April 2015.

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