In a first, Bangla enclaves build two primary schools for the children

While 33 students took admission at the Mashaldanga school, 43 were enrolled in Poaturkuthi school.

There are eight teachers who would teach in the two schools. For six decades now, the enclave dwellers — being “stateless” people — had to “fudge” documents of their children to send them to schools in Indian mainland. Money allegedly exchanged hands as somebody in the Indian territory would let an enclave dweller use his name as “surrogate father”.

“This is the standard procedure (to fudge documents) for getting literate and there is no other way. I am studying political science (honours) in a college in Dewanhat college. I am happy I would teach children who have no school to go. But we can only give them basic training as the schools cannot give them any certificate,” said Jainal Abedin, a teacher in the school at Mashaldanga enclave.

Alamgir, studying English (honours) in Dinhata college, is also a teacher at the school.

“At least the children of the enclaves would not require to fudge their documents from the nursery level,” said Alamgir.

The schools have been set up in two small rooms covered with corrugated sheets. Some private companies have donated money to buy books and other necessities.

“We have been trying to start the schoolsbut were faced with a financial crunch. A zilla parishad member of the TMC, Taranikanta Burman, inaugurated the schools,” said Diptiman Sengupta, secretary, Indo-Bangla Enclave Exchange Coordination Committee, said.