Brief Background on the Institute:
(Establishment of the school, Reasons for its establishment and location, infrastructure & facility development, course introduction etc may be mentioned in chronological order to illustrate the key development areas)
Ugyen Dorji Higher Secondary School, the only school catering to higher secondary education services in the Dzongkhag, is said to have its ancestry in one of the foremost forerunner of western education schools in the Kingdom. For whatever the other reasons, one thing is for sure that, over the years, the Hindi medium school in Haa, established in 1913 with the initiative of the Second Druk Gyalpo Jigme Wangchuck under the supervision of then Gongzim Ugyen Dorji, has undeniable connection with what is Ugyen Dorji Higher Secondary School as we have now.
The present school, to which is ascribed the sole lineal heir to the Hindi medium school that was first established - and probably the first of its kind in the Kingdom - nurtured itself to its present status under the support of the Royal Government and the successive visionary Kings. The school had the opportunity to be an English medium school as a part of Late His Majesty Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck’s pursuit of his vision for modern Bhutan – modern Bhutan with the help of western education. His Late Majesty commanded the school to be made an English medium school. The school was then located in the area of present day Wangchuk Lodzong Military School that houses the Imtrat Head Quarter. According to some sources the building previously used by IMTRAT as movie hall is said to be where the school was.
The first head teacher was Late Lopen Dago. In 1954, the school was shifted to a building at Tsina under Katsho geog, currently occupied by RBA, Independent Demonstration Company (Demo Coy). The school size then was around 300. Lopen Dago is a recipient of the prestigious Druk Thugsay award from His Majesty the King, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, in recognition of his meritorious service. The school got its present location in Lhyulkha village under Katsho Geog in 1969. It was a Junior High School then. The school stared phasing out the primary section in 1990 and completed the process in 1995 thus becoming high school catering to education services for students from grade seven (VII) till ten (X).
During the 7th five year plan review meeting held on 1st December 1995 the fourth King personally named it as Ugyen Dorji High School in memory of Gongzim Ugyen Dorji; father of Late Lyonchen, His Excellency Jigme Pelden Dorji. Mrs. Nim Dem was appointed as its first principal. By then the enrolment of students reached 751. Since then successive principals ran the school till the arrival of the present principal, Mr. Sonam Chhogyel.
The school was upgraded to a Higher Secondary School in the academic year 2002 having classes seven (VII) till twelve (XII) with Science and Arts Stream of studies offered to classes XI and XII. In order to cater Commerce Stream of study to classes XI and XII the school started phasing out class seven (VII) in the year 2009 and class eight (VIII) in the year 2010.
The school is also host to feeder schools within the Dzongkhag, and also for students from other Dzongkhags who are in Haa for various reasons. Presently(as on 01/03/2016), it has 554 students of which 278 are girls and 276 are boys, 41teachers, 7 supporting staff and 10 ESP/GSC Staff. It is also home to boarding students, 151boys and 154 girls. It is a “moving school” in progressive direction managed by competent team of staff who believes in “shared responsibility” and “collective vision,” who see lots of opportunity for progressive growth and nurturing. It is making a steady and gradual stride with many challenges lying ahead. Some noteworthy challenges are raising students’ academic performance to the national average level, and making it a model school as it being lineal heir to the forerunner school in our modern Bhutan’s western education system. We believe nothing is impossible so long as we have the “will to work together” and “together we shall do it” so long as our vision is not blurred and our will not broken. Our school stands all for what is mentioned hereunder.