Learning the hard way: Students forced to use umbrellas inside classroom in Darjeeling school

In a school in Darjeeling, West Bengal students are required to carry umbrellas inside the classrooms because of leaking roofs. 

Students of this school in Mirik, Murmah Prem Sundar Higher Secondary School have to study under deplorable conditions during monsoons as classrooms remain waterlogged and have leaking roofs. 

The local administration – Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) has blamed the state government for not supplying adequate funds. They even highlighted that, classes in several schools in the hills are called off on certain days when there is heavy downpour. 

“This is one such school where seepage water enters the classrooms. But, there are many schools across the district, where infrastructure is in a bad shape. Recently, tremors were felt in the hills and several landslides had occurred, which further worsened the situation. I have written to the state government on different occasions, but they have not replied. They are not providing us adequate funds as a result of which, we are not being able to carry out repair works,” said Roshan Giri, Executive Member, Education, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). 

On the other hand, officials in the state government claim that every year, the budget allocated for GTA is being provided, but they are not spending it on school’s infrastructure. “State allocated funds for the hills are sent on time. But, somehow the funds remain unused and are not spent on developmental activities. The situation turns worse with each passing year,” said a senior state government official.