About St. Milarepa Academy in P. B. Road, Sukhia Pokhri, Darjeeling

St Milarepa Academy offers holistic education based on experiential co learning environment. It works in active collaboration with Experts from various fields to work with children of the school. We have various workshops with Experts with experience from United Nations, British Council and Creative houses, bringing more exposure, opportunity to express and learn for the children.

The school has consistently achieved a 100% pass percentage in all ICSE and ISC examinations since affiliation in 2004. Besides academic emphasis, the school also encourages students towards their overall development by promoting music, film making, art and sports in regular curriculum. SMA was chosen as the only school from Darjeeling to officially present Nepali Ramayan Path to the Honorable President of India, Mr Pranab Mukherjee in Bhanu Jayanti 2016.

Nestled in the scenic beauty of the Himalayas with a view of the Kanchenjunga range in the north and plains to the south, St Milarepa Academy is situated in a little forest village called Sukhia Pokhri, 20 kms from the town of Darjeeling, 25 kms from Mirik and 10 kms from the Nepal border in Pashupati. To its west lies the Singalila National Park, home to the internationally famous trekking route to Sandakphu and Phalut.

The school has classes from Nursery to Class XII (Pre- University Level). It is the only recognised ISCE school in the village which caters to the more than 75% tribal and minority population of the village and adjoining tea gardens.

The school is named after the great Buddhist Saint, Jetsun Milarepa who triumphed successfully over all obstacles through his singleness of purpose. His life story is an inspiration to all those who feel that their circumstances weigh against them and their dreams are unattainable.

About the Founder

Revolutionary, Social Reformer, Philanthropist, Dreamer and an Active Doer - Mr Mingma Dorjee Bhutia, the founder of St Milarepa Academy.

Born to a humble family in Sukhia Pokhri. At the age of 14, he was burdened with the responsibility of his five siblings and a young widowed mother with no certainty or support for further education. But this did not dampen his spirit. At 16, while awaiting his School Leaving Certificate Board Examination results, to better utilise the time at hand, he founded the 'Yuwak Sangha' (Youth Association), a social organisation to mobilise and engage the village youth towards socially-productive activities. The Yuwak Sangha later went on to establish the West Bengal government-recognised Nepali primary school in Sukhia Pokhri. It is still a very active and integral part of life in Sukhia Pokhri, involved in organising various social events related to education, healthcare, environment and culture each year. His benevolent and caring attitude towards society was widely cherished by the local community, who lovingly called him “Kumar” (Prince), “Daju” (Elder Brother) and “Popa” (Father) during his lifetime, and who continue to honour his memory even after his passing away in 2011.

Through his initiative and efforts, St Milarepa Academy has been a pioneer in bringing affordable quality CISCE education to Sukhia Pokhri and and adjoining forest villages and tea gardens.

About the Principal

Mrs Leelawati Bhutia is the wife of late Mr Mingma Dorjee Bhutia. She has over 33 years of experience in education and retired as the Headmistress of Sukhia Pokhri Higher Secondary School, a 125-year-old Institution. Her services to society have been widely appreciated and recognised nationally and internationally where she has been honoured with various awards including the Rashtriya Siksha Sammaan Purashkar and 'Star of Asia' International Award by the Global Achievers Foundation in recognition of sterling merit excellent performance and outstanding achievement in the field of education.

She has been the driving force in turning her husband’s dream into reality in establishing St Milarepa Academy and is committed to take this pursuit to even greater heights.
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