Vacation of Hill boarding schools extended

Hill schools have extended the summer vacations till the situation in the Hills normalises. The boarding schools were slated to reopen after the summer vacation this week.

Amidst and ongoing indefinite bandh called by the GJM, most of the Hill boarding schools had closed down for summer vacations on June 23. The GJM had provided a 12-hour window allowing vehicles to ferry boarders from the Hill schools to the plains of Siliguri on that day.

"Only after the situation normalises will we resume classes. If the bandh continues for a longer time, then we will have to hold classes during winter vacations," stated Father Shajumon, Rector, St Joseph's school, North Point, Darjeeling. Boarders were advised to carry their text books home so that they could study at home in case the indefinite bandh continued for long.

St Joseph's with 520 boarders and 580 day scholars was scheduled to resume on July 4 after the summer vacations.

"We have notified the parents and even posted on our official website along with the social network groups that the vacations will continue till further notice. Only after the bandh is lifted will we decide when to reopen," stated Partha Pratim Dey, Senior Mater, Mount Hermon School, Darjeeling.

Along with students from the states of India, students from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Thailand study in these Hill boarding schools. However, the schools fear that the ongoing agitation will have a long term negative effect on the schools with withdrawals.

"We saw baton charge, tear gas shells bursting and stone pelting. It was very disturbing. We were scared for our children and spent sleepless nights. If such unrest continues, we are seriously contemplating sending our son to some other boarding elsewhere. Now, there are ample options of good boarding schools all over the country," stated a parent on condition of anonymity.