Exams may be deferred for rally count

Internal exams in all schools of the three Hill sub-divisions would be deferred as students will be participating in programs under the banner of Gorkha Jana Vidyarthi Morcha, GJMM's student wing for the success of tripartite meeting on Gorkhaland.

The decision was taken at a meeting of heads of educational institutions from over the Hills with GJMM president Mr Bimal Gurung in Darjeeling today and binds all ICSE., CBSE. and West Bengal board schools. “We discussed and reviewed the situation and the only viable solution is probably to postpone the exams of class V to IX and standard XI in all schools. They will be needed to participate in rallies, attend public meetings and observe hunger strikes”, said Mr Basant Rai, principal of RKSP school speaking on behalf of all heads.

Standard X and XII students who will be appearing for their board exams are exempt from the programs. “These students will be appearing for their send-up exams after which they will fill their registration forms for the board exams,” Mr Rai said.

For most Hill schools annual exams were scheduled to begin from third week of November which coincides with the timing of the tripartite meeting according to a presumption of the GJMM. “It is not confirmed but most likely will be held in the third week. We have not received any official intimation from the government,” said GJMM general secretary Mr Roshan Giri.

A series of programs are scheduled for students to begin with a relay hunger-strike from tomorrow up to the tripartite meeting in the third week of November. "Participation of students is the need of the hour. Students are involved because the tripartite meeting is on Gorkhaland, the future of our younger generation. They will also prevent agents of Bengal like Madan Tamang from disrupting the movement”, said Mr Giri justifying the involvement of students in the movement.

Meanwhile, schools all over the Hills will remain closed on 13 November if the administration fails to take action against some alleged miscreants who pointed pistols at students from AIGL president Mr Madan Tamang's residence on Saturday.