Although most of the village children were already in their uniforms, Susmita Tamang and her sister Phul Maya sat gloomily in one corner of their house. Seeing that they are not making any move to get ready for school, their mother Chin Maya shouted out at them in annoyance, "It's back to school for you two from today. The earthquake is over. You can't always go on living in fear."To which, the children replied, "How can you say the earthquake is over? The ground shook again just yesterday." They were referring to the aftershock Wednesday with its epicenter at Shaule Bazzar, which is within the district. Chin Maya was at a loss for words and turned away.
"My children have refused to go to school ever since the catastrophic earthquake. They cry if I try to force them," she said. "All attempts to persuade them have been in vain. I'm seriously worried about their studies."
Susmita, 15, and Phul Maya, 13, are sixth and fourth graders respectively at Rakta Kali Lower Secondary School, located in neighboring Bhul Bhule village. "It's not just my daughters who refuse to return to school, there are many others like them in our village," informed Chin Maya.
Classes had resumed post-earthquake in the district about three months ago and temporary learning centers (TLC) were set up for them. Thirty-seven children participated in the first day of class. Their number has now reached 137. However, 14 of the students are yet to return, according to Rajendra Khatri, the school principal.
Data maintained at the district education office shows that more than 6,500 students are yet to return to school post-earthquake. "A majority of the absent children are still in a state of trauma," said District Education Officer Dil Nath Puri. "Children still run in fear even during minor aftershocks," he added.
The devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake of April 25 took place when schools were in the final phase of fresh admissions. Before the earthquake, around 66,000 students were registered in Sindhupalchowk district for the current academic session. According to Puri, only 60,000 students have turned up in school so far. The district education office states that more than 650 students were killed in the quake while 254 others sustained injuries.
Out of 547 community schools in the district, 17 have not come back into operation due to the risk of landslides. The district education office has no idea what the children of those schools are doing.
As per data collected by the office, 321 students from the district are studying in various schools in Kathmandu following the quake. Even without counting the deceased, injured and the displaced, 4,500 school children are yet to come to school.
"There are high chances that those students will drop out of school. We are working on ways to bring them back," said DEO Puri.
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