Exams near, Hills schools panic

The offensive in the Darjeeling hills has set alarm bells ringing at the 40-odd schools of the district because the ISC practical exams start on Monday.

The question papers have not yet reached the schools and as things stand now, both boarders and day scholars will find it difficult to reach schools for the exams. The heads of the schools fear that if the warring GJM does not agree to provide a reprieve to students appearing for their board exams, a large number of careers will be affected.

GJM general secretary Roshan Giri, however, allayed such fears saying: “We are aware of the ensuing board exams and do not want students to suffer. We will work out a way for students like always. There is still time for that.”

Of the affected schools, 15 are Anglo Indian boarding schools that have existed for over a century in the Hills and are hence renowned heritage institutions. These institutions have decided to wait and watch the situation for the next 24 hours and then start a dialogue with the GJM so that the board exams can go ahead in peace.

The ISC practical exams are scheduled on February 14, 17 and 20. Thereafter, the written exams start for both ISC and ICSE on February 28. According to rules, the question papers for the practical exams reach schools in advance so that the laboratories can be prepared accordingly. The Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has already sent the question papers, but those meant for the Hills are still lying with Don Bosco, Siliguri, the collection centre for the Council’s exams for the zone.

St Joseph’s Darjeeling, popularly known as North Point, had kept all boarders due to appear for the board exams in the school itself during the winter break fearing this disruption, but other schools have not done that. In these schools, boarders were about to return early this week, well in time for Monday’s exam. But no one has managed to do that. Students and parents are extremely worried whether the practical exams will take place at all and anxious phone calls are pouring in from all over.

“In case of my school, the problem is two-prong. The boarders due for the board exams are here, but their parents are extremely worried for their safety. On the other hand, there is no way in which I can bring the question papers from Siliguri because of the strike. So how do I prepare the laboratories? Even day scholars of our school who will appear for their board exams, will find it extremely difficult to make it to the venue if the stand-off continues!” said Father Kinley Tshering, head of North Point.

St Paul’s School, another top institution of Darjeeling located in Jalapahar, has to contend with the fact that all its boarders are yet to return. “We are tense and hope things get better over the next couple of days and our boarders set to take the board exams return at least by Saturday. We might have to take the help of the Army to bring the question papers if time runs out,” said rector of the school, Carol Joseph.

A worried father, whose son is a boarder at Mount Herman and will write his ICSE exam on February, is not sure if his son will be able to reach the venue at all. “I am an architect and I work extensively in Sikkim. Right in front of my eyes, I saw protesters set two trucks and a private vehicle ablaze. How will I risk my son’s life and take him back to school for the exam?” he said.

Source: Times of India