In the midst of harsh winter cold and heavy monsoon rains, students of Dasharath Basic School (Tupa) and Janjagrati Basic School (Damchan) in Putha Uttarganga Rural Municipality-11, Rukum East, are forced to study under tin-roofed sheds due to the severe shortage of proper school infrastructure.
Both schools run classes from Early Childhood Development (ECD) up to Grade 5. Due to the lack of classrooms, students from Grades 3 and 5 are studying in temporary sheds that fail to protect against cold, heat, or rain, according to school authorities. Teachers say the learning environment has deteriorated, with water leaking through roofs and students having to shift around to avoid getting wet.
Headteachers from both schools shared that they have repeatedly requested support from the local government, but no action has been taken so far. “We continue to teach even when water leaks into the classroom. There’s no other option,” said Jita Darlami, principal of Dasharath Basic School. Her counterpart at Janjagrati Basic School, Champha Gharti, also expressed concern over the long-standing neglect of rural school infrastructure.
According to Ram Prasad Khadka, Head of the Education Section at the rural municipality, the issue has been placed under top priority for this fiscal year, though budget constraints and limited support from provincial and federal governments have delayed progress.
Rural Municipality Chairperson Puniraj Ghartimagar claimed that building construction is being carried out gradually, but admitted that insufficient funds have prevented the timely construction of new school buildings.
Local authorities say they are committed to improving the situation, but until then, hundreds of students continue to endure unsafe and uncomfortable learning conditions.
