School on the Roof of the World
When school holidays end in the Himalayas, the teachers of Lamdon Model High School begin their dangerous journey back to their school – over ice and rocks, through a spectacular landscape.
With temperatures at minus 35 degrees, the hike takes several days: Every year, after the four-month winter break, the teachers of Lamdon Model High School dare to cross the frozen Zanskar River or the rocks on its banks to return to their school.
The remote region of Zanskar is located in the Himalayas, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. In winter, the only access road is snowed in and impassable, leaving the residents completely isolated. But in January, the otherwise raging river freezes. People use it as a path to the outside world – on foot over the ice. They call this route the Chadar Trek.
Around a dozen of the 20 educators at Lamdon Model High School come from other regions of India. They leave the school during the winter holidays to be with their families. The school remains closed for four months during the coldest months, from early November to early March. The teachers usually return in mid-February.
Campfires on the Ice
Italian photographer Bruno Zanzottera accompanied a group of them on their strenuous journey for five days: “I want to show the difficulties and dangers some teachers endure to give students in one of the most remote areas of the world the chance to receive an education.”
He captures the teachers in the snowy landscape, climbing along rocks, the ice creaking under the weight of their steps, and sitting around a campfire in freezing temperatures. His photos also tell the story of school life a few months later: students listening attentively to the teacher, being picked up by an orange school bus after class, or spending their break in front of a Buddhist monument.
About 300 children and adolescents, from kindergarten to the 10th grade, currently attend the school. They come from Padum, the largest town in the region, and from small villages in the valley. Each year, approximately 30 new boys and girls are admitted. They are selected by lottery because there are always more applicants than available places.
Finding enough teaching staff for the school is difficult. Aside from the remote location of the private school, the working hours are shorter, and the pay is better at government schools. The Lamdon Model High School is funded by a non-profit organization.
dbate Report on Death Zone Himalaya
The school places a special emphasis on preserving local traditions. In addition to mathematics, history, Hindi, and English, the children also learn Bodhi, a Tibetan dialect spoken in Ladakh and Zanskar, and Urdu, the administrative language of Jammu and Kashmir.
A road is currently being constructed to eventually make Zanskar accessible even in winter. However, it will take years to complete, and until then, the teachers must continue their dangerous but spectacular journey through the Himalayas.
The teachers of Lamdon Model High School in the remote Himalayan region of Zanskar have to undertake a dangerous and strenuous journey back to work after the winter holidays. Photographer Bruno Zanzottera accompanied them on this multi-day hike over and along the frozen Zanskar River. Photo: Bruno Zanzottera/Parallelozero
In places where the water is not frozen, the teachers have to climb with their heavy luggage. This is not only exhausting but also dangerous due to the slippery paths. Photo: Bruno Zanzottera/Parallelozero
During the winter months, the path along the river is the only way to reach the school, as the high-altitude access road is snowed in and impassable at this time. Photo: Bruno Zanzottera/Parallelozero
The teachers take a short break and observe the melting ice before continuing their strenuous hike. Photo: Bruno Zanzottera/Parallelozero
The teachers usually spend the nights in caves along the river to better protect themselves from the cold – temperatures can drop to below minus 30 degrees. Photo: Bruno Zanzottera/Parallelozero
photo series also shows everyday life at the school a few months later. Around 300 students can attend Lamdon Model High School and receive an education in the remote region. Photo: Bruno Zanzottera/Parallelozero
Teacher Stampa Tsering celebrates her students’ victory in an athletics competition. Football and basketball are also popular sports at the school. Photo: Bruno Zanzottera/Parallelozero
Principal Sonam Tenzin teaches science and English. As the school places great importance on preserving local traditions, Bodhi, a Tibetan dialect, is also taught. Photo: Bruno Zanzottera/Parallelozero
A beautiful view during the break: A student sits in front of the chorten, a Buddhist spiritual monument, in the school courtyard. Photo: Bruno Zanzottera/Parallelozero
Some students participate in a procession to celebrate Buddha’s birthday. Although Lamdon Model High School is a secular school, it is still strongly influenced by Buddhism. Photo: Bruno Zanzottera/Parallelozero
After school, a bus picks up the students. The children and adolescents come from Padum, the largest town in the region, and from surrounding villages in the valley. Photo: Bruno Zanzottera/Parallelozero
Principal Tenzin spends the afternoon at home with two of his children. Only a third of the teachers live near the school; all others must undertake the long journey at the beginning and end of the winter holidays each year. Photo: Bruno Zanzottera/Parallelozero
The Reference Article Schule auf dem Dach der Welt
