SURKHET: Teaching learning activities in Rastriya Proposed Lower Secondary School in Lekhgaun VDC-4 have been adversely affected due to the students' falling unconscious on a daily basis.

According to Purna Bahadur Shahi, a teacher at the school, more than 15 students scream and tremble all of a sudden before collapsing in the classroom or on the playground right after the noon. One or two students faced such a problem immediately after the Tihar holidays, though, he added.

He said while only girls faced the problem initially, boys were also falling unconscious of late. Seventh grader Rupa Pahari was the first victim of the stroke, which has now been seen in over a dozen students.

"Nothing of that sort happens while they are at home. The problem occurs at school as the clock strikes noon," Shahi added. The students are scared to go to the school these days.

The victimised students have been referred to both physicians and witch-doctors. The guardians performed rituals at the school by collecting Rs 30 each but to no avail. "The problem occurred since the school was constructed where Bhairab used to be worshipped. Spirits are also troubling the students," head teacher Chandra Bahadur Rokaya quoted witch-doctors as saying. He said the remaining students were also trying to quit the school.

The suffering students have been given a week's leave. The school has also asked the District Education Office to work out a solution.