The Privilege Race

The four schools that we at RTL pay for our children to attend.

In the hope we can reduce some of the disadvantage the children of our BPL (Bellow the Poverty Line) families suffer.

Paramount

North Point

Paramount is roughly central to the town. The numbers of pupils vary but the average is 26 pupils per teacher. The classrooms are large and airy. Fans on the ceiling to cool in Summer, and windows open onto a wide covered veranda.
30 of our children go to Paramount which is run by the principal Mr Lama. His mother set the school up and has always been in Education. When she retired she asked her son to take over. Mr Lama was an Engineer until to took up this duty.

During the Covid lockdown Mr Lama, with the help of a PC expert, set up a piece of software called E Corridor as a way of pupils doing work at home, having it evaluated and more work set as needed. It was adopted by all the schools across Kalimpong and further afield. Paramount received an award for being an entrepreneur in the field of education.

Another area of Mr Lama’s input is in the teaching aid he bought for our children’s preschool kindergarten. Comprising three books that work in tandem, it was designed by Oxford University Press. Whilst we were there we called into all the classrooms. A lot of activities were going on, in which small groups of children were asked to do a wall or tabletop demonstration on a given topic. The ideas around plants, volcanos, climate and healthy eating were fascinating.

RTL children have achieved ‘first in year group’ at Paramount.  A testament that BPL status need not hold a child back when given the right education.

We have 28 pupils at North Point, which is North of Kalimpong.

The principal is Mr Uprety. His teaching style is different from all the other schools.Very engaging and the children absolutely love it.

He has a daily assembly held outside if the weather is dry. They have morning exercise, a kind of stretch dance theme. They sing the Indian national anthem in Nepali. He is a follower of Sai Baba. They have a morning prayer.

Mr Uprety is a state Yoga teacher, first class. We were amazed at what he could do. He teaches a small group of children at the school. He likes to be with the children throughout the school day. He shows great interest in their progress and teases questions out of them. We have to say his pupils are alert and quick, open and keen to take part. Every day, at assembly they are asked questions about given scenarios and what they would, could or should actively do. They are also told a little about world events and interventions. One teacher per day takes part in this activity. We were deeply impressed. He takes great pride in all the children, they were the stars of our RTL 45 children’s party held at Mr Lama’s school.

Pioneer

Bright Life Academy

Pioneer has two schools.  One is in Kalimpong town, the other is more remote and purpose-built by Mrs Pradhan.   These schools have 15 of our pupils.  The atmosphere is calm.  The children are bright and attentive.

We were taken to view it in the South of the town, spacious, high up the mountainside, approx. 20 min drive from the town school. No pollution up there with well-established trees in the grounds which are owned by Mrs Pradhan’s mother, another lifelong teacher.

Bright Life is quite a distance from Kalimpong town in a very rural location with cows grazing in the fields surrounding the school.  This is a new school to Room To Learn in 2025.  Run by principal Jaya Sharma it has many buildings and outdoor play areas as befits a village school location.  The children enjoy the clearer air and relaxed atmosphere.  We have 15 children there.