This is the kind of scene that is playing out in temporary learning centers scattered across Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur.
"We have found out that when you are teaching in tents, this is a very common problem. It poses the biggest challenge to us on a daily basis. Everybody can hear almost everything that is going on in another class and that is such a distraction for the students. Sometimes they can't decipher which teacher is saying what. I make it a point to repeat myself as many times as necessary and from different spots. It's obviously inconvenient for all parties involved," says Yadav.
But it is not like his school has any other option. The Rana period building that Suryodaya Secondary School had been operating from for the last decade suffered some major damages in the April 25 earthquakes. So rather than risk the safety of their students, Principal Laccha Bahadur KC decided not use the premises anymore. Thus ever since the decision was made like the estimated 100 schools around Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur, they too have been trying to tackle the logistics nightmare of running their everyday classes for more than 450 students.
Bimala Adhikari Kunwar, Managing Director of Deep Jyoti Secondary Boarding School in Gongabu whose five storey building crashed to the floor during the first earthquake, in particular talks about the new test that was posed to them by the monsoon season. "We prided ourselves in providing our students with comfortable learning conditions with spacious rooms and fans. So these days we feel guilty to see them all squished together under the tent. We made the most of what we had but there are some factors that are out of our control. During the sunny days, it is stuffy and hot inside the tent and the monsoon rain and wind caused more trouble. Conditions were such that once we had to stop ongoing classes and send the children home," says Kunwar.
Being victims of circumstance, we had forecasted these difficulties for those institutions that have a steep road to recovery ahead of them. But the
worrying aspect is that, almost six month on since the natural calamity and there are many institutions that are still uncertain of whether they can meet the cost that will take to rebuild the schools. Following the Ministry of Education's decision not to shoulder any responsibility of the private sector, this fear is naturally more tangible among them than the government schools. But even those whose institution's rehabilitation is being looked after by the government still have their share of concerns.
Case in point, at the Bhanu High School, formerly known as Durbar School, the destruction of the historic building has earned sympathy of Nepalis around the country, however, its Principal Hemchandra Mahato reveals he is still not certain what the future holds for the school.
"After the earthquake, the government coordinated with organizations and helped us build our temporary learning center. They also gave us Rs 75,000 for any required extra maintenances but now I'm keen to learn what other plans they have to rebuild our school. However, I haven't been able to get any details. I have been around from Ministry of Education to Ministry of Finance and in case of international donations, to Ministry of Foreign Relations as well but I haven't uncovered anything yet," says Mahato.
He also shares that numerous foreign parties had shown interest to offer financial help with the reconstruction but because the building is considered a cultural heritage, he needs the Government's permission to go ahead with such donations. Further in a summary statement of rehabilitation plans recently released by the Government, Mahato expresses his worry over the facts that his school doesn't meet the required criteria. With 217 students from Bhanu High School and about 150 students from Sanskrit High School rotating between morning and afternoon shifts at the TLC tents to get their education, Mahato can't stress enough on the importance of solid plans for the future.
The Department of Education asks for some patience. "The number of schools that have suffered damages throughout the country comes around to more than 500. So at the moment, we are trying to evaluate which of them should be our priorities. We are basing this decision on the number of their students, the state of their building as well as the area. Our team of engineers is on it at the moment," said Dilli Ram Rimal, Director General at the Department of Education. When asked about their deadlines for the calibrations and the time they may take to move on to the next stage, Rimal couldn't give a proper answer.
For the likes of Suryodaya Secondary School, Deep Jyoti Secondary Boarding School and other ruined private schools the slow pace of the government's response is the least of their problems. They are not even being considered for any kind of aid.
"If it wasn't for the Gongabu Church, we wouldn't even have the 10 tents we are currently using to teach our 450 students. The rest were courtesy our local communities and well wishers. Initially government officials had come to inquire about our situation but rather than physical or financial support, they were here to give us moral support. We do appreciate the gesture, however, it's unfair the government has completely abandoned the private schools. Our students are Nepali as well. We may charge more but we bring better results accordingly. At the moment, we too are in a serious financial predicament. We don't expect full coverage but there should be some help from their side," says Kunwar.
Laccha Bahadur KC principal of Suryodaya also happens to be the Central Chairperson of PABSON. He shares that through various discussions and meetings with other private schools, the board had presented a proposal to the government. At the very least, they request for soft loan arrangements and deals with banks. These they believe would help them relieve the financial burden they are struggling to shoulder.
But then again there are laws in place or states Hari Lamsal, spokesperson of the Ministry of Education, "On a personal level we are certainly sorry and we do wish we could help them out, however, according to the law we are not allowed to meddle in the business of private schools. Where soft loans are concerned that isn't the responsibility of our ministry," explained Lamsal. He did inform that the Ministry of Education had approached the Ministry of Finance to help out the private schools but he wasn't clear about what their decision was so far.
How long can the schools run under tents? Many of these schools are currently operating without libraries, science labs, and computer labs. Many of their students have to study under leaky tarps and what's more, winter is also on the way. The teachers and administration are racing against the clock to finish their syllabuses in uncomfortable situations while concerned about losing more students in the coming months. Still the sense of urgency is largely missing on part of the government officials. While tangled in the mess of bureaucracy and protocol, there is a high chance that the children might bear the brunt of their inadequacy.
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