Winter class row: After credit system, worried Hill students seek govt intervention

Amitava Banerjee |  MP | 13 Aug 2018 | Darjeeling: With the implementation of the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) in University of North Bengal, hill colleges affiliated to it might have to forgo winter recess. 

Hill College students are anticipating multiple problems, specially in winters owing to this system and have appealed for intervention by both the state government and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). 

The students of Southfield College (formerly Loreto College, Darjeeling) recently submitted a memorandum to the MLA, Darjeeling and Chairman Board of Administrators, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) requesting them to take up the matter with the state government.

Earlier, the University had the Annual system. Now, with the CBCS system, examinations will be held every six months. Sessions will be from July to December and from January to June. The duration of each class will be for an hour with 5 classes as day. There is no break in this system.

Under the Annual system, the Hill colleges would take a break for winter recess in January and restart in mid February. 

"We are anticipating curtailment of winter recess to accommodate this new system. This will cause numerous complications for students, specially girl students," stated Dipika Thapa, Student Representative, Southfield College. 

Extreme cold weather during winters make matters very difficult during winters. "Our students come to college from far flung areas. During winters, there is scarcity of vehicles. It is difficult to travel owing to dense fog. The college does not have any transportation facility nor accommodation. Most of the paying guest facilities remain closed during the winters," stated Thapa.

The colleges had apprised the University about these problems. In reply, the Registrar has written to the principals of all Hill Colleges affiliated to the University of North Bengal stating that the Hill colleges are requested to abide by the CBCS norms and regulations of the University and reorganize their exams by curtailing vacations if required. 

The letter dated August 3 stated: "The decision stands final unless otherwise decided by the state government." Student representatives from Southfield Colleges met Amar Rai, MLA, Darjeeling and Binay Tamang, Chairman, GTA seeking their intervention in this regard. 

The memorandum submitted to the duo requested them to persuade the Government and consider the problems of the Hill students. 

They have further demanded that semester examinations end by 4pm and the GTA or state government provide space for construction of a Girls' hostel. 

"We will look into the matter and take up the issue with the state government," assured Binay Tamang.