KATHMANDU: Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel and Minister for Information and Communications Dr. Bikram Timilsina jointly visited flood-affected areas.
The on-site inspection is meant to assess the condition of schools and the impact of the Bhotekoshi flood on students and educational infrastructure.
The ministerial team visited several educational institutions and public facilities affected by the devastating August 26’s flood. They took stock of damage to school buildings, educational infrastructure and disruption to students’ learning.
During the field visit, the ministers interacted with local government chiefs, elected representatives and officials from concerned agencies to understand the challenges facing schools and students in the aftermath of the disaster that claimed scores of lives and damaged massive property.
The inspection began from the Education Development and Coordination Unit in Bidur, Nuwakot followed by an assessment of flood-affected Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School areas.
The team also inspected the holding centre and community multipurpose building at Nyureni Sundari Secondary School, as well as the Kabard Hall in Bidur, Chandrayoti Secondary School and the building of Annapurna Panchakanya Primary School.
The visit focused not only on physical damage but also on how the floods have affected the day-to-day functioning of schools and students’ ability to continue their education.
The minister duo held discussion with local stakeholders on measures needed to help affected schools resume educational activities. They also deliberated on the ways and means to ensure students do not fall further behind.
The devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa on last August 26 affected 15 local level units in districts including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Tanahun districts.
The government has already declared the affected local level disaster-hit area
Preliminary estimate shows that as many as 19 schools in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts sustained complete or partial damage.
Likewise, 16 teachers and 217 students remain unaccounted for, while learning process of an estimated 9,742 students has been disrupted by the catastrophic disaster.
