A earthquake of 6.5 Richter struck Ramidanda in Jajarkot on Kartik 17, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, affecting both lives and infrastructure, including schools.
In the aftermath of the school buildings sustaining damage, an immediate response unfolded – the establishment of makeshift learning centers using tripal materials for affected students. Now, a network of 213 temporary learning centers has been deployed district-wide to ensure continued education for children post-earthquake.
Tara Prakash Pun, leading the Education Development and Coordination Unit, reports that education is underway in certain learning centers, while others are still under construction. Aathbiskot Municipality has witnessed the setup of 139 learning centers, and in the quake-impacted Sani Bheri rural municipality, 74 learning centers are already operational.
In areas where school buildings remain largely intact, such as Musikot Municipality, Chaurjahari Municipality, Tribeni Rural Municipality, and Banfikot Rural Municipality, classes are seamlessly continuing within the existing structures, unaffected by the earthquake, as shared by Pun.
After a one-month hiatus, schools resumed classes on Mangsir 04. Unfortunately, Ravi KC, the mayor of Aathbiskot Municipality, reveals that 53 out of 64 schools in Aathbiskot bore the brunt of the earthquake, resulting in damage to 252 classrooms and 76 toilets.
A staggering 9,847 students in the municipality have directly felt the impacts, with eleven students and an office assistant losing their lives due to the earthquake. Although teaching has recommenced in many areas within the municipality, the final stages of constructing temporary learning centers are underway, ensuring a swift resumption of teaching activities.
In Rukum, where vital educational resources are being distributed post-earthquake, the Education Development and Coordination Unit states that temporary learning centers are yet to be established in all affected areas. Education is currently being conducted outdoors in locations awaiting these centers, with a reported 144 classrooms damaged across 108 schools, along with an additional impact on 38 toilets.
