KATHMANDU, April 24: A decade has passed since the devastating earthquake of April 25, 2015 (Baisakh 12, 2072 BS). The major quake and subsequent aftershocks caused extensive loss of life and property, leaving the entire nation shaken. There was widespread concern about how the country would recover. Many stepped in to help, but reconstructing the large-scale physical infrastructure posed the greatest challenge.
Now, after ten years, the reconstruction work has largely been completed. Broken structures have been rebuilt, and many dilapidated community schools have undergone a complete transformation. The schools built after the earthquake are not just well-constructed and attractive-they are also equipped with modern facilities. From accessible towns to remote areas, school buildings have become more resilient. As a result, students now learn in classrooms that are safe, comfortable, and modern.
According to Ashok Adhikari, Deputy Head of the Central Level Project Implementation Unit, the newly reconstructed Shree Mahalangur Secondary School in Umakunda, Ramechhap, is especially impressive. “Before the earthquake, government schools were built with local materials and lacked basic facilities,” he said, “But the disaster became an opportunity to transform education. Today, schools in even the most remote areas are modern, making students, teachers, and parents very happy.”
He explained that the earthquake had severely damaged schools like Sikral Secondary in Manthali and Mahalangur School in remote Umakunda. However, with assistance from ADB, these schools are now permanent, internet-equipped, and include smart boards and other modern facilities. Over 7,000 community schools damaged by the earthquake have been rebuilt with support from the government and donor agencies.
Even Nepal’s oldest school, Durbar High School, has been transformed into an advanced institution with support from the Chinese government. While many community schools have been successfully rebuilt with help from various donors and government investments, 14 schools are still awaiting reconstruction due to funding challenges. The earthquakes of November 3, 2023 (2080 BS) in Jajarkot, Rukum West, and Bajhang caused additional damage to schools in these areas.
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According to Deputy Head Adhikari, the government needs to raise Rs 12 billion to reconstruct 548 schools confirmed to be damaged by the 2023 Jajarkot earthquake. For the 7,688 schools damaged by the 2015 earthquake, a budget of Rs 89.13 billion was allocated, of which Rs 52.53 billion came from donor agencies and Rs 36.47 billion from the government.
“While some schools are facing new financial hurdles for reconstruction, maintaining the newly built schools has also become a significant challenge,” Adhikari told Republica, “Moreover, despite modern buildings, the outdated teaching-learning system poses another hurdle to improving educational quality.”
Out of the 7,688 schools confirmed for reconstruction after the 2015 quake, work has been completed on 7,660. Among the remaining 30 schools, 16 are under construction while 14 have yet to begin. Rs 800 million is needed to complete these. Additionally, the government must arrange Rs 12 billion for the 548 schools damaged in Jajarkot, Rukum West, and Bajhang.
Adhikari said the goal is to complete reconstruction of schools damaged in the latest earthquake within three years. Requests for funding have been made to the Indian government for Rs 3 billion, while the ADB has committed Rs 2 billion and JICA has pledged Rs 800 million. The Nepal government has allocated Rs 270 million and already started constructing 144 classrooms.
The 2015 earthquake damaged 9,553 schools across 31 districts, affecting a total of 54,589 classrooms: 21,169 were fully destroyed, 12,522 heavily damaged, and 20,898 partially damaged, according to the Central Project Implementation Unit.
As of 2081 BS (FY 2024/25), 372 schools have been merged, 154 are no longer in operation, and 9,027 schools still require reconstruction. “The government made significant progress after the 2015 earthquake,” said Laxmi Prasad Bhattarai, Chief of the Unit, “A donor conference was held in Asar 2072 BS (June/July 2015), followed by agreements with the ADB in Bhadra (August/September) and JICA in Poush (December/January). The state mobilized itself immediately for school reconstruction.”
He added that all but 16 schools affected by the 2015 quake have been rebuilt, and those 16 are in the final stages of reconstruction. Reconstruction efforts have followed the legal frameworks issued by the National Reconstruction Authority and the agreements with donors.
Timeline of Reconstruction Activities
According to prior agreements with donors, leftover funds from previous reconstructions are now being used for schools in Bajhang and Jajarkot affected by the 2023 earthquake. Reconstruction work has started at 41 schools in Rukum West and Jajarkot. The government is rebuilding 144 classrooms through school management committees, and Global Partners Fund is supporting the construction of nine schools and temporary learning centers in Bajhang.
In the Terai and urban areas, schools with over 2,000 students have been prioritized for large-scale reconstruction. A total of 110 such schools have been selected under an approved framework.
Reconstruction efforts followed the School Reconstruction Guidelines 2073–2081 BS. These used the capital budget of the Government of Nepal and followed different reconstruction models depending on the location and needs.
