125-year-old school building in Mirik in poor shape

YAWAN GURUNG, EOI, MIRIK, AUGUST 9, 2023 : The condition of Mirik Higher Secondary School, the oldest educational institution in Mirik, is causing concern. 

After 125 years of its establishment, the school building is in a poor state. The tin roofs are gone in some places. In the rainy season, water accumulates on the courtyard around which the class rooms are located. The toilet facilities are poor.

There is shortage of drinking water too. The problem is not of recent origin. Since the period of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council and till the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration rule, neither the government nor the political parties has paid much attention to the school. The roll strength of the school, offering from classes V to XII, is more than 600. 

Yet, years have gone by since the school building had been renovated. There is need for a separate building for the science lab and technical education. Students of Class V are compelled to study in the store room. 

Due to leakage of water students of Classes XI and XII cannot concentrate in their studies The roof of the staff room also leaks. Teacher-in-charge of the school Subash Khati said were many problems facing the school. 

“For a new building of the school, we had invited Anit Thapa, the present GTA chairman, during the 125-year jubilee celebration of the school and told him about the shortages and problems." 

He had assured to take care of the situation, but till now no initiative has been taken. We have been writing to the concerned agencies and departments for several years but no attention has been paid.