Pupils in the UK have been learning about the Gurkhas, through their links with Nepal

Gurkhas have been making the headlines, after retired Gurkha soldiers won the right to stay in the UK. Twinning schools in the UK and Nepal have been sharing their views on the news.

The schools are twinned through the Pahar Trust, a charity which was set up by two soldiers from a Gurkha regiment - Tom Langridge MBE and Chandrabahadur Gurung. The Pahar Trust twins UK schools with partners in Nepal – many in the areas where Gurkhas are recruited.

Two schools on the Isle of Man have close links with Nepal. Michael Primary School and Ghamrang School in the Lamjung region of West Nepal have been linked since 1993.  The schools learn about each others’ cultures but can only exchange letters once a year as Ghamrang is in a very remote area with no internet access.

Scoill Phurt le Moirrey school also has a twin in Nepal and have been learning about Gurkah soldiers. They were visited by an ex Gurkha, Major Dan, who explained that it’s a tough career.

Saffron, Charlotte and Kyra said, “Being a Gurkha isn’t as easy, you have to pass many tests. One of the hardest trials is to be able to expand your chest at least two inches. It is an honour to become a Gurkha so many men try it out, but their dreams end extremely quickly.”

Family connections

Students at Himalaya Milan Secondary School in Tangting Nepal are more easily able to exchange letters with their partner school, Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, and have been working together on curriculum projects.

The Headteacher of Tangting school, Om Prakash Gurung, has a family link to the UK as his Father and Grandfather are both ex Gurkhas.  

Om Prakash Gurung welcomed the British Government’s decision writing, “We think it is nice because the Gurkhas did good work for Great Britain.”

Children at Michael Primary School were also pleased about the UK Government’s ruling to let ex-Gurkha soldiers remain in the UK.

One pupil wrote, “I think the decision to let the Gurkhas stay in the UK is the right one as they have been enlisted into the British Army”.

Another student agreed saying, “Some of the Gurkhas have lost their lives serving in the British Army, so Britain should give something back to these men and their families.”

Scoill Phurt le Moirrey pupils agreed saying, “As kids we’d be thrilled if Gurkhas came and settled in the Isle of Man.”

Find out more about the Gurkhas and their campaign.

How did they do that?

The schools twinned through the Pahar Trust, which twins schools in the UK and schools in the mountain regions of Nepal.  

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