Boarding Schools in Darjeeling Closed

KOLKATA: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has hit the last nail in the coffin. It has included schools in its present offensive to press for its demand for Gorkhaland.

The past stirs of GJM always left schools and colleges alone probably because the party did not wish to affect education in the Hills. But this time, the diktat that all schools will have to shut down indefinitely and boarders will have to be sent home has finally sent the signal to parents that it is time they withdraw their kids from the hill schools and get them admitted elsewhere.

Most boarding schools have, however, defied the GJM order and refused to send the boarders back, though they have kept the schools closed. They have informed parents about their decision already though the latter don't seem to be convinced this time. "Even if, for the sake of argument, we accept that our children are safe, what about their studies? No classes are being held even in the boarding schools that are following the GJM diktat," said Soumyo Basu, whose son is a Class V student at St Joseph's (North Point).

A letter from a parent, Chiranjib Mukherjee, whose two sons are in primary school in Kalimpong, reached chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Tuesday, appealing his intervention to end the crisis. "The boarding schools have told parents not to come and take their kids back, but we apprehend a serious crisis in the wake of the indefinite strike. I am appalled at the inaction on the part of the state government," read the letter.

This was the refrain one heard from other parents as well. Somenath Mukherjee, an interior designer based in Kolkata, whose son is in Mount Herman, sounded flustered. "My son's school has declared an extended summer vacation to avoid trouble. He is in Class IX. Naturally, we are worried about his education. I would like to join other parents and find out an alternative," he said.

Father Kinley Tshering, headmaster of St Joseph's School, who has been leading the counter-offensive by boarding schools, said: "All of us decided that we would keep the boarders on the campus despite the GJM diktat. Some resistance had to be offered and since no one else has dared to face it, the schools have decided to make a start. At least, the boarders can study by themselves. I am more worried about my day students," Father Tshering said.

He hoped the strike would not extend beyond a month. "I have enough rations to keep boarders on campus for a month. I have appealed to GJM to see reason and relax its order on the schools. I am on the verge of appealing to Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi and chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee," Kinley said.

Authorities at St Paul's School informed that a few parents have already taken their wards back, but the majority have chosen to stay back. "We, too, can hold on for a month. Thereafter, we will perhaps have to appeal to the army, which has a camp nearby," said a senior official.

A large number of parents have started inquiring at schools in Siliguri that have hostel facilities for shifting their kids. At least 18 children have been shifted to DPS Siliguri from St Joseph's and St Paul's Darjeeling in a year, said owner of the former, Sharad Agarwal.

Last year I was is a dilemma whether I should have my grandchild (sister's daughter's son) admitted in Goethals as I feared the Gorkhaland agitation may affect his studies.
Bro. Beddoe had assured that the boarding schools were not affected as the agitators allowed the schools to run normally.
However, we were not assured and got him admitted in a boarding school in Ranikhet, near Nainital.
I am happy we took the decison as the above events show that we were right.
I had said earlier, I support the GJM upto a point. But when it starts affecting the people for whose benefit they are agitating, I withdraw my support.
As I have been saying, politics benefits only the politician, the general people pay the price.
ALL POLITICIANS ARE THE SAME CORRUPT B......DS.
Bimal Gurung has his own children outside Darjeeling district, so he is not affected.
Makes you recall George Orwell's "Animal Farm"