Kathmandu, September 10
There is still no news of students caught in the floods. They have no textbooks or uniforms. Those who escaped the floods left their school bags behind on the way to safety. But now there is no alternative but to return to a normal routine.
Schools in flood-affected Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts are preparing to resume classes. They have urged their students to get in touch with the schools. “We need the data on how many students are available. That is why we have asked them to come to school once,” said Madhav Lamichhane, principal of Nilkantha Secondary School in Ward No. 5 of Uttargaya Rural Municipality, Rasuwa.
It is difficult to determine how many textbooks are needed until the students return. The school is preparing to resume classes from September 10. Roads have been cut off at several points, making it impossible to travel from one side to the other. “Students who cannot come to school should not panic. We will complete the course even if we have to repeat the lessons later,” he said, explaining the school’s preparations.
Most schools affected by the floods face similar problems. We spoke to the chiefs of the Education Development and Coordination Units in the affected districts about the damage to schools and when classes would resume.
Rasuwa: 285 students and 16 teachers unaccounted for
According to the Education Development and Coordination Unit in Rasuwa, 285 students have still not been accounted for. Of the 17 teachers reported missing, the body of one has been found. There are 39 students whose both parents remain unaccounted for.
“Relatives have taken in children whose parents are missing,” said unit chief Durgaprasad Silwal. According to him, four schools in Rasuwa have been completely destroyed. “Three community schools and one institutional school have collapsed,” he said. Classes have resumed at schools that were not affected. “Four to five schools have been turned into holding centres. Classes are not being conducted there,” Silwal said.
Classes resumed on August 27 in Naukunda Rural Municipality, September 9 in Uttargaya Rural Municipality, September 7 in Kalika Rural Municipality and September 9 in Aamachhodingmo Rural Municipality. However, preparations are under way to resume classes in Gosainkunda Rural Municipality from September 11. “Students from completely damaged schools will be taken to other schools to continue their education,” unit chief Silwal said. “There are plans to provide residential schooling.”
Nuwakot: 224 students and 11 teachers unaccounted for
In flood-hit Nuwakot district, 224 students and 11 teachers remain unaccounted for. According to unit chief Suryabahadur Khatri, 10 schools have been damaged, including two institutional schools. Ten schools have currently been turned into holding centres.
Classes have also resumed at schools in Nuwakot that were not affected by the floods. Schools in Bidur Municipality reopened on September 9. Plans have been made to provide alternative learning arrangements for students from damaged schools.
“Preparations are under way to continue learning with support from government and non-government organisations,” unit chief Khatri said. He said classes at Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School are scheduled to resume from September 17. Preparations are also under way to restart damaged schools by providing them with buildings or land. “Local communities have offered community buildings, and the province has also said it will provide land. The Ministry of Education has asked us to submit a budget proposal for residential schooling,” he said.
The plan is to use schools serving as holding centres partly for classes and partly to accommodate displaced people. In Nuwakot, Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School, Ramchandra Basic School, Chetana Basic School, Ganeshman Singh Basic School, Trishuli Boarding School and Uttargaya Boarding School have been completely damaged. Chandeshwori Secondary School and Chhetrapal Basic School have suffered partial damage.
Dhading: Three teachers unaccounted for, search for students underway
Three teachers remain unaccounted for in Dhading. According to the Education Development and Coordination Unit, the body of one teacher has been found. The bodies of four former teachers have also been recovered, while two others remain unaccounted for.
According to unit chief Krishna Kumar Shrestha, efforts are underway to collect data on the whereabouts of students. Ten schools in Dhading have been damaged. He said psychosocial counselling for students began today. “Classes will begin only after psychosocial counselling. We are collecting details of the students. Staff have been deployed for this work today as well,” he said.
The unit said Bageshwori Secondary School, Amleshwor Gurukul, Success Academy, Bhadrakali Gurukul, Jaleshwori Secondary School, Kalidevi Secondary School, Buddhi Bikas Basic School, Shankhadevi Secondary School, Rising Star and Dhusha Community Learning Centre have been damaged in Dhading.
Classes only after psychosocial counselling
The government has instructed schools to resume classes only after providing psychosocial counselling to students. In a circular, the Department of Education said students could experience fear, anxiety, stress and other psychosocial effects and instructed local governments to assess their psychosocial condition before regular classes resume.
Schools and local governments have been instructed to coordinate with health institutions and health workers to assess students’ psychosocial condition. “Schools must ensure that students are ready to attend regular classes. Only then should arrangements be made to resume regular teaching and learning,” the department said.
