SAMTENGANG MSS AT A GLANCE

Samtengang Middle Secondary School is located in Nyishog gewog, Wangduephodrang Dzongkhag, Bhutan. A mere 18 kilometers from Wangdue town, Samtengang can be reached by rough road from Chuzomsa or on foot from Teki Zampa. Sitting atop a mountain plateau, Samtengang has an encompassing view of Wangdue town, Dzong, Bjena, PhungYul, and Kazhi villages . The campus includes a beautiful lake that is home to various species of fish as well as avian wildlife

The school was initially established in 1962 as a Hindi medium community school and it consisted of only a few temporary huts. The first Headmaster, appointed by the then Department of Education, was Mr. M.M.Joseph who managed the school along with two Dzongkha lopens (teachers). The oldest infrastructure, which is now a part of the primary school, was constructed in 1964.

In March 1998, the school was upgraded to a Lower Secondary with the construction of boarding facilities. Classes ranged from PP (pre-primary) to VIII. In the same year, a new 12 unit building was constructed near the lake, and is now referred to as the 'Old Block.'

The school upgraded again, to a Middle Secondary School in 2008, the same year as Bhutan's adoption of a democratic parliamentary system. Classes PP to 6 were allocated to a new location, now serving as Samtengang Primary School. Classes IX and X were subsequently added to the school, forming the current class range.

SMSS has students from Phobjikha, Nobding, Khotokha, Kazhi, Phangyul, Gangtey, Nyisho, and other places. The school has a total area of approximately 20 acres.
SMSS plays host to classes VII, VIII, IX and X with eighteen separate sections. 95% of the students are enrolled as boarder students. Class VII and VIIIs are supported by WFP and classes IX and X depend on their stipend for meals. There are also 11 needy (destitute) students supported by His Majesty’s Kidu.

Our students number above 530 and occupy 18 classrooms in two different school blocks. As a part of wholesome development, students participate in various sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, tae kwon do, and badminton. In addition, Samtengang has a thriving club atmosphere that includes UNESCO, Culture, Games and Sports, Driglam Namzha (Etiquette), Arts and Crafts, Science, Health, GNH, and Home Science clubs. The school engages students in literary and cultural activities through class and house competitions. Educational movies are also screened on weekends to provide diverse entertainment. We are fortunate to have a library, biology lab, physics lab, and two computer labs for students to fully engage in their studies. Students engage in active learning from 9 in the morning and end their day at 4 in the evening. They also learn through different mediums such as, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and field trips. The Chiphen Rigphel Project is also an added advantage in learning through ICT.

The Samtengang teaching staff is very dedicated to improving the educational outcomes of our students. We currently employ 35 teachers with diverse backgrounds that improve the teacher community through sharing of ideas and other fruitful activities. All students and teachers are also actively engaged in after-school clubs and events. The infusion of GNH into the school curriculm is greatly practiced in this school with regular silent sittings, school greening projects, adoption of the nearby lake and other related activities. Of late, the school joined the blogging world in order to encourage students to write and to expose the school. You can visit the school blog at www.smss2011.blogspot.com