At a lonely quite hill, close to nature is located the Enchey Senior Secondary School. Far from the hullabaloo of market place and maddening crowd, here young minds are taking shape for tomorrow’s future.
Enchey Senior Secondary School is one of the oldest schools in Sikkim, established in the year 1909. It is not only known for its rich history but many unique things that it offers. From arts classes to Bakhu (a traditional Tibetan dress), Enchey manifests unique character for maintaining a distinct academic and cultural identity. Over the years it has produced many dedicated citizens who are now shaping future of the state and country in various capacities.
On 12th October, 1909, Chogyal (King) Sidkeong Tulku laid the foundations of Enchey Senior Secondary School. It was founded with the purpose of imparting modern education to the monastic students of Sikkim. Chogyal envisioned that monks, apart from spiritual studies, should also be versed with subjects like poetry, medicine, astrology grammar and basic arithmetic along with advanced Buddhism studies.
In its maiden year, 5 students from different monasteries of Sikkim came to Enchey. Among them was the first Chief Minister of Sikkim, Kazi Lendup Dorjee Khangsarpa. A student at Rumtek monastery he was sent to Enchey at a very young age. Enchey marked its name in history by giving first CM to the state.
In just a few years the strength exceeded up to 30 students. One student from each monastery in Sikkim joined the school and all were given scholarship from Chogyal. Enchey monastery became the school building and huts down the monastery became hostel.
It was in the year 1959 that Enchey opened its gate for non monastic students. Tibetans refugee girls and boys were allowed to enroll in school along with students from monasteries. But admissions were restricted to Tibetan students only.
In the year 1966, Tibetan government in exile constructed a building for the school. After its completion all the students shifted to the building which is now the present campus of Enchey School.
New campus bore a colourful look with monastic and non monastic students together performing Tibetan Opera, dance and music. Cultural activities became an integral part at Enchey. Students became the ambassadors of their culture, performing in front of Chogyal and Foreign dignitaries. The school was gaining popularity all across India because of this unique character.
In 1969, Mr. Madhusudhan Singh joined the school and Enchey got its first Principal. He was the main spirit behind the creation of the present Enchey School. His vision and commitment made Enchey Senior Secondary School an institution compatible to face the challenges of competitive world.
In the very next year the school got recognition from Central Board of Secondary Education. The first batch passed out from 12th Standard in the year 1973 and had just 4 students. Those students not only excelled in their life but also paved way for the others to follow. A true source of inspirations and instrumental in fostering legacy in the school, Mr. Sangey Dorjee is now the IG Police, Mr. Gyatso La moved to United Sates and is settled there, Late Mr Lode Nima went on to become high ranking governmental official in Government of Sikkim and Richen Doma came back in School to teach an now is the oldest member of Enchey family.
Another giant leap happened in the year 1970 when school opened its gate for students from all caste, community, and ethnicity. This made the school cosmopolitan and hostel a global village. The school hostel housed more than 350 inmates in six dormitories from different backgrounds as a one family.
In its attempt to join the main stream schools, Nepali language was introduced as a vernacular language in the year 1984-85.
By the early 90’s monastic students stopped coming to Enchey Senior Secondary School and scholarships were put on halt. Traditional subjects paved way for the modern studies and Tibetan language was replaced by Bhutia language.
But even today Enchey School is maintaining its tradition and culture on the basis it was founded. School uniform is still brown colour Baku. Enchey is the only government school in the country where this uniform is in practice. Traditional art education is one thing which is still continuing from its foundation year 1909. Students make Thanka painting and traditional art. It’s a part of their syllabus.
The contribution of teachers like Rinchen Doma is inexplicable. Similarly Miss Kipu who was strict in discipline but very compassionate at heart, Mr. C.M Alexsnder, Mathematics teacher who ensured that discipline not only maintained in hostel but also in the lives of students.
Today Enchey Senior Secondary School is just like any other school but its rich heritage and unique character makes it way different from other. The spirit is still evident and is everlasting.
Courtesy: sikkimmail
1 comment:
A beautiful article about a typical school in Sikkim! Thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you.
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