The struggles faced by the students of Darla Middle Secondary School in Chhukha have finally come to an end. For more than a decade, the school did not have hostel facilities forcing students to either walk long hours to get to class or to rent apartments near the school. The school recently finished the construction of its two new hostels.
Darla Middle Secondary School has more than 700 students. And some of them have to walk long distances between their homes and the school. Some students come from far-flung areas which are about five-hour walk.
“It is really difficult, especially for small children. They have to travel long distances and therefore they have to wake up very early in the morning. Upon reaching school, they get tired, sleepy and cannot pay attention in class,” said Chador Gyeltshen, a Senior Teacher at Darla Middle Secondary School.
He said that it was also risky for the students during the monsoon season. The students also shared their excitement about getting the opportunity to stay in the hostels.
“My home is far away so I rented a house near the campus. We had to worry about the rent and it affected our studies. Now we are able to concentrate on our studies,” said Tashi Dawa, a student.
“I had to walk about an hour before the hostel facility here. By the time we reach school, we get tired. We also could not study well,” said Laxmi Samar, a student.
According to the school, although the infrastructures have the capacity to accommodate about 250 students, the lack of basic facilities has limited them to enroll less than 150 students.
“The facilities required in the hostels are limited right now. But next year, we may receive more beds. So, if this happens, we will increase the number of boarding students. This way the needy students get the opportunity to continue their education by staying in the hostel,” said T. P. Sharma, a Vice Principal at Darla Middle Secondary School.
The construction of the hostels started in January 2020 but works were hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic. For now, the hostel facility has been given to the neediest.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
