Schools start off-site classes for students taking board exams
SILIGURI: Schools in north Bengal hills have started making alternative arrangements for students facing board examinations in 2018 as the indefinite shutdown called by the GJM is creeping towards the two-month mark with no end in sight.
The shutdown, which rolled on to its 57th day on Thursday, has posed a stiff challenge to all sections and students of dozens of schools that dot the hills. Among them, those facing the board exams have been hit the hardest.
Schools in Darjeeling and Kurseong were to reopen on July 8 and those in Kalimpong on June 27. But with the Gorkhaland agitators refusing to budge, there is no certainty when normalcy would return on the campuses.
Some schools have started offsite classes in Siliguri, about 80 km away, and others are trying to make the best use of the ‘relaxation’ given by the GJM for teaching students due to appear for board exams.
Among the schools that have started these classes are St Paul’s School, St Joseph’s School, St Anthony’s School, and Himali Boarding School.
“From Monday, we have started coaching classes for our Class 10 and 12 students in Siliguri. We have to clear the syllabus backlog,” said Robindra Subba, director, Himali Boarding School.
St Joseph’s School (North Point) is holding classes at a Christian centre in Bagdogra on the outskirts of Siliguri from August 1. Some of the schools have also rented community halls to teach the students.