Schools running classes in quake-damaged buildings

BY RAJU LAMICHHANE,Rukum West, Dec. 25: In Rukum West, classes are being conducted in earthquake-damaged school buildings, while exams are often held in open spaces. The lack of proper school buildings and the extreme cold in temporary learning centres have forced students to study in classrooms that are in hazardous conditions.

Since the earthquake in November last year damaged numerous school buildings, most children in affected schools continue to study in cracked classrooms, while exams and other activities are conducted in open fields. For instance, at Kalika Secondary School in Sundarpani of Aathbiskot Municipality-9, the second trimester exams are currently underway. 

According to the school's teacher, Kabir Ram Budhathoki, students are seated in rows in the open field to take their exams. The earthquake caused significant damage to five buildings at the school, including the reinforced concrete office building, which also developed cracks. Although five temporary learning centres were established immediately after the earthquake, the winter cold, rain and strong winds have hindered effective learning in these makeshift facilities.

Budhathoki said that due to insufficient rooms for exams, the school had no option but to use the open field, which also provides sunlight, making it a practical choice during the cold weather. However, the lack of proper classrooms has disrupted regular teaching for grades 11 and 12.  

Similarly, at Bheri Dobhan Secondary School in Sanibheri Rural Municipality-2, classes are being held in damaged buildings. Students continue to attend lessons in unsafe conditions. The school's principal, Bhupendra Oli, stated that the earthquake had damaged all the school’s buildings, forcing the administration to conduct classes for grades 8, 10 and 11 in cracked rooms due to the lack of alternatives.  

At Adarsha Secondary School in Ghetma, Aathbiskot Municipality-13, principal Tilak Narayan Malla said that grades 1, 2, and 3 were also being taught in damaged buildings. He said that most other classes were conducted in open fields.

Tara Prakash Pun Magar, head of the Education Development and Coordination Unit in Rukum West, stated that even a year after the earthquake, the reconstruction of damaged school buildings remains incomplete. According to him, 262 of the district’s 288 community schools were damaged by the earthquake. Of these, 49 schools were completely destroyed, while 213 sustained partial damage.  

In Chaurjahari Municipality alone, three schools were destroyed while 31 sustained partial damage. In Aathbiskot Municipality, 17 schools were completely destroyed and 37 suffered partial damage. Similarly, in Musikot Municipality, four schools were completely destroyed and 48 were partially damaged. Sanibheri Rural Municipality recorded 18 schools completely destroyed and 23 partially damaged. Triveni Rural Municipality reported four schools completely destroyed and 34 partially damaged, while Bafikot Rural Municipality had three schools completely destroyed and 40 partially damaged.