Education, Communication ministers inspect flood-hit schools, assess damage
KATHMANDU: Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel and Minister for Information and Communication Dr Bikram Timilsina have inspected schools and public facilities affected by the August 26 Bhotekoshi flood.
The visit sought to assess damage to school buildings and other educational infrastructure, as well as disruption to students’ learning.
The ministers met local government chiefs, elected representatives and officials from relevant agencies to discuss the challenges facing schools and students after the disaster.
The inspection began at the Education Development and Coordination Unit in Bidur, Nuwakot, followed by a visit to the flood-affected area around Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School.
The team also inspected the holding centre and community multipurpose building at Sundari Keurini Secondary School, the covered hall in Bidur, Chandra Jyoti Secondary School and the Annapurna Panchakanya Primary School building.
The ministers discussed measures to help affected schools resume classes and prevent students from falling further behind.
The Bhotekoshi flood affected 15 local units across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Tanahun districts. The government has declared the affected local units disaster-hit areas.
Preliminary estimates show that 19 schools in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading sustained complete or partial damage. Sixteen teachers and 217 students remain unaccounted for, while the education of an estimated 9,742 students has been disrupted.
