Turnbull Higher Secondary School breaks century-old tradition, admits girl students

EOI, DARJEELING, JULY 7, 2022 : Breaking its over century old tradition to keep pace with the present education system, the Turnbull Higher Secondary School for boys in Darjeeling have allowed girl students to take admission in its institution. 

The school in June this year started the Commerce subject for students in the higher secondary level. In fact, THSS is only government school Darjeeling that is offering Commerce as a subject. "There are two other government schools that offer Commerce, but they are all boys' schools. Over the years, we have been getting request from parents and students to start Commerce subject. Hence, after much communication and lobbying with the state school department, we got the go ahead to start Commerce in our school in the higher secondary level," said Navin Khaling, the school Head Master. However, there are several co-educational ICSE schools in Darjeeling that have Commerce as a subject. The school which is school though faces the problem of infrastructure which has compelled admission of only limited students. "For the moment we have 25 students of which 12 are girls. 

However, we are pursuing the matter with the education department and if we get sufficient fund, then we will definitely increase the student numbers," said Khaling. With the entry of the girls, the school is now in a fix to modify or even change its school song that have been sung with passion and pride by the "boys" for over a hundred years. "Yes, we do have a dilemma but it is a welcome one. Our school song is based on the male gender. However, we want the girls to avail facilities on equal footings and pursue study of their choice. We are working on a new school song which will have mention of both the genders," said Khaling. For the twelve girls a chance to study their choice of subject even though in a traditional boy's school has come as a boon. Many of them had earlier applied admission in schools across the hills offering Commerce but decided to join THSS which is closer home. "It is an all-boys institution was established in 1906 by Scottish missionary, William MacFarlane, as a middle school with classes 4 to 6. The school though was named in memory of another Scottish missionary, Archibald Turnbull who is supposedly credited with having first translated the Bible and dictionary from English to the Nepali language. 

The THSS is a government aided school and was affiliated to the Madhyamik board in 1957. In 2000, the school was upgraded to Higher Secondary status. The school though faces the problem of infrastructure which has compelled admission of only limited students. "For the moment we have 25 students of which 12 are girls. However, we are pursuing the matter with the education department and if we get sufficient fund, then we will definitely increase the student numbers," said Khaling. With the entry of the girls, the school is now in a fix to modify or even change its school song that have been sung with passion and pride by the "boys" for over a hundred years. 

"Yes, we do have a dilemma but it is a welcome one. Our school song is based on the male gender. However, we want the girls to avail facilities on equal footings and pursue study of their choice. We are working on a new school song which will have mention of both the genders," said Khaling.

For the twelve girls a chance to study their choice of subject even though in a traditional boy's school has come as a boon. Many of them had earlier applied admission in schools across the hills offering Commerce but decided to join THSS which is closer home. 

"It is expensive in ICSE schools and given our Madhyamik ground, we did not feel confident enough. However, when we came to know about THSS offering Commerce for girls, we did not think twice and joined, immediately," said eleventh graders, Lowes Rai and Anamika Tamang, in unison. Similarly, Srijana Thami, who aims to be a chartered accountant, said, "Now I am able to study the subject of my choice. And to do so in a government aided school is hugely beneficial for us"