Concerns raised on social media

The Tendu Tshechu Committee (TTC) in Samtse has submitted a clarification regarding a post that recently went viral on social media, questioning the ethics of Tendu Central School authorities for allowing a party to be organised on the school’s campus.

A Facebook post by an anonymous user had attracted several mixed comments on school authorities allowing the party in the school’s multi-purpose hall.

The Facebook post mentioned that there was a separate place identified for a bar and a smoking zone similar to nightclubs. The post alleged that some former students of the school had even struck the school warden with a bottle during the party.

Since this party was organised during the tsechu on March 5 and 6, Tendu gup Nima Dukpa, who is also the dzongkhag tshogdu (DT) chairperson, said that a karaoke session was organised by the committee.

In an emailed response to Kuensel, he said that the karaoke nights were organised in order to allow faculty and officials to meet and interact.

However, photos posted on Facebook shows that youth were also in attendance.

“The karaoke night was similar to normal activities in the school like promotion party, baby showers, welcome dinner or farewell dinner,” he said. “It was exclusively for school, officers and gewog officials.”

The gup further explained that the fight never happened in the school. “Those drunk former students were ushered away from the school compound,” he said. “Suddenly one boy threw a stone at the school’s gate and the other threw a bottle from the dark and hit our warden’s head resulting in a little swelling but no major injuries.”

The DT chairperson said that they handed over the boys to the police sensing potential complications.

Sipsu police said that the patrol team in Tendu had apprehended the boys and later released them after questioning.

Although the committee has clarified, there are also a few who shared that this party was organised despite some faculty members objecting.

A Tendu resident, requesting anonymity, said alcohol was distributed as prizes to dancers during the first day of the karaoke. “They should have discontinued the party after the warden was hit,” he said. “Availability of alcohol and cigarettes in the school area sets a bad example.”

The residents alleged that even the concerned authorities were involved.

Another resident said that the girls hostel is located near the multi-purpose hall where the party was organised and it was not safe for the girls. “There are many girls staying in rented apartments and such parties could be harmful,” he said.

Another Tendu resident, who also did not want to be named, shared his experience of attending the party and said he paid Nu 100 as entry fee and that there were separate areas for bar, juice, snacks, and smoking. “Along with the entry ticket, numbers were provided for lucky draw,” he said.

The TCS principal refused to comment.

Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing

Advertisement