History of the school
RIBS schools started in 1990 as a need to create an English school for the young kids from the surrounds of Maneybhanjang, to a have a full English education.
At that time the only English schools available were in Darjeeling, which are good schools (some of the best of the country), but too far away and out of budget for the majority of the families in the villages.
Since 2003, RIBS has been receiving support from MondoChallenge, a British/Indian NGO, working with some schools around Darjeeling and Kalimpong.
Besides financial support, MondoChallenge have been sending volunteers to RIBS since 2004, which so far have been a great contribution to the school, the Kids and the local community.
RIBS school during assembly in the morning. Mr. Pramod, the Principal is in the first floor.
Classes and Subjects
There are around 80 students aged from 3 to 13, divided in classes that go from Nursery, Lower Kindergarten, Upper Kindergarten, Class 1 to 5.
The children are very friendly and helpful with each other.
Each class from 1 to 5 has around 7 subjects, which are Nepali and Hindi (only class 5), English Grammar and Literature, Mathematics, Science, History (Indian and World History) and General Knowledge, Art and Crafts and Drawing.
All subjects are taught in English (except Nepali and Hindi!!!!).
Class 4, during EVS Class taught by Pedro Sousa, one of the volunteers
Extra classes such as Dancing (done by one of the mothers), Music and Agriculture (new activities) are giving during the year.
Different sports are played during break and in sport’s day, such as football, cricket, kho-kho and during rainy season chess and Uno.
A day has seven periods, each being of 40 minutes, except in the special occasions for extra activities.
Assemby in the morning
Special Events
Lately, teachers took the kids to Chittrey, which is a Buddhist Monastery 2 km on the top of the hill, in the Singalila National Park. This is a typical field trip very appreciated by the kids and by the teachers.
Kids playing during Chittrey field trip
For the Independence Day celebrations, RIBS with other nearby schools join in the local parade, dancing and music expositions.
Inner school competitions take place during October or November.
School facilities
The school has a main building with 8 class rooms, 1 room for the staff and 1 for the Principal.
In front of the schools there is a small playground, used in break times, for school assembly (praying and singing National Anthem).
The class rooms have basically the black board and wooden tables and chairs.
In front of the school yard, recently Forest department has granted us a small piece of land, for starting a new project teaching the kids about agriculture.
Accommodation for Volunteers
The volunteers stay with the school Headmaster, Pramod Bardewa, in Sukhia Pokhri, 8 km from ManeyBhajang, where the school is located.
About the 8km …Don’t worry! There are taxis!
The headmaster’s family is composed by:
• Pramod
• Sankumar and Radhika (‘baba’ and ‘amma’), his parents
• Pravin (Pramod’s brother) and Binita and their son Pranayan (2 year old).
• Pompi, a 13 years old girl that lives with the family and helps at home.
In addition, numerous relatives and neighbours drop in throughout the day to help with the baby and for a chat.
Both parents are teachers so there’s lots of interest in what you are doing and advice and help is always available.
Binita is a very good cooker and she will make you taste the different Nepali traditional food and Indian food. Anyone is welcome in the kitchen to exchange cooking experiences. So bring some recipes!
A very welcome cup of tea will be provided first thing in the morning while you are still in bed – luxury!
Sukhia Pokhri
Sukhia (around 2000 m) is higher than Maneybhanjang and Darjeeling and so has a colder and wetter climate from these places.
The vegetation and wildlife is very rich and local walks are rewarding and there is a famous trekking route nearby starting from Maneybhanjang.
The climate generally is misty and foggy but never extremely cold. During raining season it really rains!!!, so don’t forget your umbrella!
To dry the cloths could be a pain in the ass, but you can do next to the fire.
There is no Internet Café, so you need to go to Darjeeling, which is just 1 hour in Jeep. Anyway you go to Darjeeling for many other reasons, mainly for spending a nice weekend.
Maneybhanjang
Maneybhanjang, where the school is located, is right on the border with Nepal. So you can go to Nepal without Visa! Actually the border is just a drain!
Some of the students come also from the nearby villages in Nepal.
The climate can sometimes be better in Sukhia, but no promises!
Don’t miss the opportunity to make a trekking from 4 to 5 days in the Singalila National Park (Sandakphu – Phalut), that start next to your school
View of ManeyBhanjang (2000 m) from the top of the hills
Contacts:
School: Rhododendron Integratus Boarding School (R.I.B.S)
Address: Manebhanjang,
P.O Sukkia Pokhiri, District Darjeeling
West Bengal, India
Headmaster’s Details:
Pramod Chandra Bardewa
Ghandi Road
P.O. Sukhia Pokhri
Sukhia Pokhri, 734221
District Darjeeling, West Bengal, India
Home telephone: +91 0354 2264584
Mobile: 94342 49045
Email: pramodbrd@yahoo.co.in
This blog has been created by one of the MondoChallenge Volunteers, Pedro Sousa reachable on psousa2004@gmail.com
