2 Nepali children join Purachery School in Kannur; Teachers begin learning their language

Payyannur: “Tapāī̃ko nām ko ho?” (What is your name?) “Mero nām Suman ho.” (My name is Suman.) These are phrases that will now be heard at Purachery School in Payyannur, where a unique learning exchange has begun.

Two things are set to happen at the school: first, two Nepali children will learn English and Malayalam; second, their teachers will start learning Nepali.

The two students, Suman Bhandari and his elder brother Subhash Bhandari, have joined the Government UP School in Purachery. Suman has enrolled in Class 1, while Subhash has joined Class 3. They are children of Prakash Bhandari and Manisha Bhandari from Nepal’s Baitadi district.

Their parents have been working for the past two years at a cattle farm owned by Santhosh at Arathil Panikkarapura. It was Santhosh who took the initiative to enrol the children in the school. This year, the brothers joined Purachery School directly.

Although neither child has an Aadhaar card, the school welcomed them with open arms, said headmaster A Jayan. Both have been admitted to the English-medium section.

Teachers, who do not know Nepali, have now begun searching online to learn the language. They found that Nepali language shares similarities with Hindi. By mixing a little English and Hindi in conversations, they were soon able to communicate with the children, who also started responding confidently.

Class teachers V Rajina and K Shaina have warmly welcomed their new students. Subhash had already completed two years of schooling in Nepal before joining Class 3. Suman is one of 15 students in the Class 1 section.

“Subhash, tapāī̃lai kasto cha?” (How are you?)

“Ma ṭhīk chu.” (I’m fine.)

No Aadhaar, No Barrier to Education

The absence of an Aadhaar card has not prevented the children from being admitted to school. However, they are currently ineligible for certain benefits, including the midday meal scheme and free textbooks. School authorities hope the Education Department will show flexibility and extend these benefits to the children.