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Siliguri study respite for Hill school boarders

By Amitava
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Google Oneindia News

Darjeeling, July 23, 2017: With the political turmoil having gripped the Hills of North Bengal, the schools are a worried lot. Having closed down for summer vacations, these schools have not been able to reopen owing to the ongoing indefinite bandh. Most of the renowned Hills schools are now planning to start coaching classes for classes 10 and 12 students in the plains of Siliguri to clear the board examination syllabus backlog.

Hill schools had closed down on June 23. Amidst the indefinite bandh which had been clamped on June 15 by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, the boarding students had to be evacuated to Siliguri from where the parents collected them.

Siliguri study respite for Hill school boarders

Though the schools were scheduled to reopen in the first week of July, owing to the indefinite bandh the summer vacations were extended. The school communication to the parents read that school would reopen only after the situation normalizes.

Along with the States of India, students from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Thailand study in these Hill boarding schools. "We are worried about the future of the students, specially the ones who will be appearing from the class 10 and 12 board exams" stated Anjay Shah from Kathmandu, Nepal whose sons study in Class 7 and 10 at St. Joseph's school, popular as North Point, Darjeeling.

Anxious parents have been constantly calling up school authorities. "We are trying to work out a solution. The only way out is to hold coaching classes for class 10 and 12 boarders in Siliguri and for the day scholars in Darjeeling" stated Father Shajumon, Rector, St. Joseph's school.

Coaching classes could begin from the first week of August for the Class 10 and 12 students. The Jesuit community that runs the school in Darjeeling also has a Loyola campus in Matigarah, Siliguri. If this plan is finalized then the boarders would be staying and studying in this campus.

"We are looking for a suitable venue for coaching classes for the day scholars in Darjeeling. Hayden Hall is one of the options" stated the Rector. The school has student strength of 520 boarders and 580 day scholars. Class 10 and 12 combined has around 130 day scholars and 100 boarders who would be attending the special coaching classes. The school was founded in 1888.

Other Hill schools are contemplating similar options in Siliguri. "Siliguri is the only place in the plains of this region which has the infrastructure to host such coaching classes. As boarding school students are involved their stay has to be arranged too. We are also planning to start coaching classes in Siliguri for the class 10 and 12 students. We are looking for a suitable place and trying to work out necessary logistics" stated the Principal of a Hill school not wanting to be named.

"Coaching classes will at least help the students cover lost ground. There is stiff competition these days. How will our children cope up when they have not attended school for more than a month. Coaching classes in Siliguri is a good idea" stated Sushma Subba from Nepal whose son studies in Class 10 at St. Paul's school, Darjeeling.

For the rest (other than class 10 and 12) Saturday classes are on the anvil. "We might have to shorten the winter vacation and hold classes in order to complete the syllabus" added Father Shajumon.

The ongoing strife has delved a severe blow to Darjeeling's image as an education hub. The schools fear that the ongoing agitation will have a long term negative effect with withdrawals. The bandh hit the 39th day mark on Sunday.

OneIndia News

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