KATHMANDU, Sept 25: As many as 201 parents and 38 students from private schools in Rasuwa are missing following the Bhotekoshi flood on August 26, according to the Private and Boarding Schools’ Organization Nepal (PABSON).
The disaster has caused significant human and physical losses to private schools across the district, while the disappearance of parents has left hundreds of children without care and uncertainty about continuing their education.
PABSON Rasuwa Chairperson Pasang Lama said 38 students enrolled in institutional schools in the district went missing in the flood.
Rasuwa Flood Update: 18 missing, 9 rescued
Among them, 19 students are from Gosainkunda Boarding School, 10 from Modern Trinity Boarding School and nine from Highland Residential Secondary School.
According to PABSON data, 201 parents have also gone missing. The figures show that 46 students at Gosainkunda Boarding School, 42 at Highland Residential Secondary School, 41 at Namuna Evergreen, 33 at Modern Trinity, 25 at Green Garden, nine at North Pole and five at Himalayan have lost their parents.
The loss of parents has disrupted the education of affected children. Many are also facing serious psychological and material hardship due to the lack of shelter and care.
The flood also damaged educational institutions and other infrastructure. Modern Trinity Boarding School’s founder-principal Suroj Dangol and a teacher are also missing.
Lama said arrangements have been made for food and other necessities for parentless students staying in school hostels, while efforts were underway to resume classes.
Of the seven institutional schools in the district, five have already resumed operations. Preparations are underway to reopen the two schools that suffered extensive damage.
PABSON Rasuwa has appealed for additional support to ensure the affected children’s right to education. In coordination with the central PABSON, efforts are also underway to provide free education to children who have lost their parents and those affected by the flood.
