We are writing to appraise each and every one of our plans to begin the phased re-opening of Ugyen Academy (UA). The government has asked us to plan a reopening of the school from Wednesday, 1st July 2020 for classes X and XII only. We accept that it is our sacred responsibility to plan a phased reopening based on our judgments of what is safest for all of us. Hence, this letter has three important attachments:

1. Phase wise Reporting Notice: Provided to ensure that each and every student is thoroughly screened
2. An important extract from UA’s Preparedness and Response Plan (PRP – 4th Edition, 20th June 2020) for school reopening on 1st July 2020:

It spells out the expectations and guidelines/protocols to be followed when school reopens

3. PRP Structure System (Human Resources –Command/Communication)

For easy contact and to identify the concerned individual's responsibility/duty for effective implementation of UA’s Preparedness and Response Plan (PRP) for Outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

As evident from above, considering the safety of our students and UA staff members, we have put great thrust to Health and Medical Unit; it has been strengthened with the best possible health team headed by a consultant doctor, two seasoned nurses and trained support staff to provide 24X7 health services in the campus. Even each class has a female and a male Class Health Captain who are automatic members of the School Health and Medical Unit.

While we have done everything under the sun to ensure safety, it is important to share a bit on our academic plan. Today, despite extraordinary advances in the development of countermeasures, the ease of world travel and increased global interdependence have added layers of complexity to containing these infectious diseases that affect not only the health but the economic stability of societies. The Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has to some degree been catastrophic for the world including Bhutan- it has been rolling out public fear, economic loss, and adversely impacting schools. Therefore, as envisaged in our objective, UA’s Preparedness and Response Plan for Outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is designed to some degree for adapting to reclosing and reopening schools as needed due to resurgence of community transmission.

Accordingly, we are adopting a Blended Learning Approach - combination of face-to-face and online learning. Our DLS Unit has also been strengthened and ICT facilities up-graded for effective blended learning. The school will have intranet facilities to continue online classes as well; online assignments and assessments will continue to exist on the school campus. Consequently, we will be allowing students to come with their electronic gadgets to school but they will have to surrender their SIM to the Planning and Operation Unit/Class Teacher/Matrons/Wardens. Each student will have to sign the ICT pledge. Having said so, our challenge will be to e-discipline all our students – a real big challenge. Nonetheless, as shared in the past, we are prepared to come up with an added feature in our values education classes – Values education for the 21st Century Technology-Based Education. Anyway, we have no choice but to have a go for the better. We are sure parents will support the move.

Thank you for your ongoing support and hope to see you all in good health soon.

Lopen Norbu Gyaltshen

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008052464730

Dear Parents and Students,

Our monthly tests for the month of March and April 2020 are beginning from today (Saturday, April 25, 2020). Like the monthly tests conducted during regular academic sessions, the online tests will cover only those topics covered under the EiE curriculum or UA’s Distance Learning Solutions (DLSs). Accordingly, the assessment criteria have been innovated to suit the e-learning and teaching (EiE) environment.

We are attaching the Time Table and the Assessment Criteria so that all are aware of the kind of assessment(s) we are trying to come up with, after coming to grips with the online delivery (DLS) of the EiE curriculum. Kindly go through the time table and the assessment criteria and provide us your valuable feedback. We must admit that it is not perfect; it is rather a temporary solution to ensure that we partner with the parents, meaningfully engage our students and jointly make an assessment.

At the same time, we are all aware that we are all facing a host of challenges when it comes to teaching or assessing remotely; the digital divide - grappling with unfamiliar technologies, those who lack adult supervision, or those who are facing domestic problems, resource problems — the list goes on. Therefore, it will be our sacred responsibility to help such students, if not now, even later when the school re-opens.

Meanwhile, driven by a pandemic to the front lines of an unprecedented rush to distance-learning, we don’t have a choice but to be inundated in our own respective groups in Google classrooms, messenger, telegram, We-chat, emails, texts, BBS Lessons, and calls – a desperate attempt to keep education going. We are all stressed and to some degree panic-stricken but we must work together to get through this crisis.

We remain very certain that with the amount of love, care and concern from our beloved His Majesty, the heroic efforts of our government; the ever-rising fountain of prayers from our “Zhung Dratshang” (Central Monastic Body – CMB) and the collaboration of Bhutanese people, the pandemic will end soon and life will spring back to normalcy. It will.

UA Principal

In the wake of the MoH confirming the first coronavirus (COVID-19) case in the country, the School Administration Team has come up with an UA Emergency Plan for Covid-19
Hence, please note the following important extract from the UA Emergency Plan for Covid-19 until further notice:
 No classes will be conducted

- Day students including the ones in PGs (residing outside of the school) will not come to school

- No outing for boarding students but there will regulated activities to keep students engaged

- Boarding Students on leave will not report to the hostel

- Boarding students wishing to go home can go home only if parents/guardians come to get them

- Visitors will not be allowed to meet students nor are they allowed into the campus

- Parcels and letters will not be accepted into the school campus

- All must strictly follow hand hygiene and take precautionary measures as per School Health Officers’ instructions

- Anyone in the campus feeling ill will report to the School Health Officers immediately

- The School Administrative Officers must ensure 24X7 water supply in the hostels

- All staff members inside the campus will have to comply and work in tandem with the School Health Officers’ instructions

- Above all, please do not panic, we will work and pray together to see that ALL are safe.

UA Principal

UA’s Important Dates in February 2020

Dear Parents and Students (BCSE 2019),
If you wish to avail the advantage of Nu.40, 000/- government scholarship or Nu. 70, 000/- boarding (needy students only) to study in a private school of one’s choice, it is important that parents and students (BCSE: 2019) see that they register first online anytime between 8th Jan, 2020 and 15th Jan, 2020. It is seen as a requirement.

The  LA Martiniere for Boys, Kolkata  organized science fest on the Theme "Where Science Meets Relativity"  on 29th of November 2019. The
School was privileged to take part with 10 students and  two teachers.   The programme consisted of various categories related to science.

Our students participated in six categories.  Ugyen Pelden of Class VIII A and Srijana  Giri of IX A bagged Gold Medal in Lab Diagnoses category.

Theme: "Work Less, Learn More"

Annual subject exhibition for class X and XII is one of the intellectual and cooperative events of Ugyen Academy as it nurtures the positive values of cooperative learning besides rejuvenating the academic lesson. Moreover, it is one way to foster innovative and creative learning among the students guided by various subject teachers.

Substance Abuse Sensitization presented by Dr. Manish Raj Gurung, CMO, Punakha Hospital And Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse Act presented by Lieut.Jigme Thugten RBP, OC Punakha

“There is more treasure in books than in all the Pirate’s loot on treasure island”. Walt Disney.

Literary fest, 28-9-2019

The literary fest 2019 was graced in the presence of neighbor school- PHSS, Lobesa MSS and Bajo HSS. A moment of silence marked the beginning of program which was further enriched when a short video on the autobiography of the late founding father Yab Ugyen Dorji was played and the journey about him to reach the peak of success was foretold through the Book Rainbow and the Clouds, authored by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk . The mesmerizing event intended to promote and foster the young talented writers and at the same time to encourage the existing readers and writers. In addition, a story telling competition between the host school and visitor school added charm to the event.

Further there was a short interview with the young writer Yeshey Tsyang which enriched the young children’s mind. Finally, the program concluded with the prize award to the participants.

NO WONDER UGYEN ACADEMY BRINGS BEST IN EVERYTHING.

Our Kings, Our Unity
Our King, Our Sovereignty
Our Prince, Our Prosperity
Happy 11^th Coronation Day

Ugyen Academy would like to take this privilege to join the nation in offering our heartfelt wishes to His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo on the 11th Coronation Anniversary.

The School organized a small program of offering butter lamps and Zhabten for His Majesty’s everlasting prosperity followed by the presentation on his biography and Achievements.
On 31 October 2004, Khesar was installed as the 16th Trongsa Penlop in Trongsa Dzong. The institution of the Trongsa Penlop, started by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1647, signifies the true heritage to the Bhutanese Throne and the investiture ceremony of the Trongsa Penlop is the formal declaration of this status of the Crown Prince.
On 9th December 2006, the Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck issued a Royal Edict announcing his abdication, and transferred the throne to Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
on 1st November 2008 Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck received the scared Dhar or scarf as per tradition in Punakha Dzong and was crowned the 5th King of Bhutan.
His speech form his coronation was also shared among the students and it resonated the very messages of his roles and responsibility as a king within thousands of Students.
Finally the program ended with a wise wisdom on significance and gratitude towards his Majesty by our Dasho Norbu Gyaltshen (Principal).

Swimming for-

Gender equality,
Healthy lifestyle,
Happy planet.

The Annual Swimming Gala among the four houses was held on 16th October, 2019.

The program was graced by the Principal, Khuruthang Middle Secondary School

as the guest of honour and other invited guests.

A total of 46 participants competed in senior and junior

categories, showcasing their talents in swimming.

The competition further encouraged the young minds to learn the art of swimming.

In the fond memory of our late founding father Yab Dasho Ugyen Dorji, we the Ugyen Academy Family participated in

Purme at Wolakha Anim Dratshang.

Prayers were offered at various locations – Khuru Lhakhang, Bajo Lhakhang, Dojagar Lhakhang, Zomlingthang Chhorten

and at multipurpose hall in the school for the departed soul to rest in peace.