At least three community schools have been demolished during the ongoing evacuation of unmanaged squatter settlements from riverbanks and other high-risk areas in the Kathmandu Valley.
Ward Chairperson of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward 16, Rojina Shrestha, confirmed that two schools located on the riverbank in Balaju area have been bulldozed. She stated that students have been shifted to nearby schools and assured that efforts will be made to ensure the children are not deprived of education.
Bal Kalyan Basic School, located beside the Bishnumati River in Balaju (Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward 16), was razed on Saturday. Established in 2049 BS primarily to educate children from squatter families, the school had over 120 students. It ran classes from nursery to Grade 7 and employed 7 teachers and 11 staff members.
The school’s principal, Arjun Sharma, said the school received notice from the ward office just three days before the demolition. He added that they were able to shift the school’s belongings in time because they had been informed in advance. Following the demolition, students have been temporarily transferred to Nepal Yubak Secondary School in the same ward, where teachers have also been reassigned. Discussions are ongoing with Kathmandu Metropolitan City to find a suitable location to rebuild the school, said Sharma.
Another school demolished in Balaju’s squatter area is Buddha Jyoti Bal Udhyan Basic School. Running from nursery to Class 8, it had 140 students, with around 120 attending regularly. The school's Principal, Shanta Ram Shrestha, said they received notice three days prior. School furniture and materials were shifted to Tarun Madhyamik Vidyalaya, where both students and all 12 teachers and staff have been temporarily accommodated. According to Shrestha, most students in this school came from squatter families as well as nearby neighbourhoods, with many being children of daily-wage workers.
Meanwhile, Saraswati Adharbhut Bidhyalaya in the Manohara squatter settlement in Bhaktapur was demolished on Baisakh 13. The school had 280 students and was the only community school in Madhyapur Thimi Municipality Ward 1. The school was established in 2062 BS and received government recognition in 2064 BS. It operated 10 classrooms from nursery to Class 8 with 14 teachers and one office assistant.
The school’s principal, Indira Mahat, said no final decision has yet been made regarding the students’ education. So far, 155 students have remained in contact with the school. She added that the teachers are ready to continue teaching if an alternative location is provided.
