The DoE asked the schools to prepare a comprehensive report on their physical infrastructure, historical background and photographs in its attempt to curb possible irregularities during reconstruction, said senior engineer Jhappar BK at the Physical Infrastructure Division at the DOE.
"The schools will have to submit pictures of the damage caused to their infrastructures and pictures of the makeshift arrangements," said BK.Officials said the details and photographs have been sought to discourage the trend among schools of claiming more funds than actual damage and the use of substandard construction materials. According to officials they decided to ask details and photos from schools also because several media reports suggested that some schools in the earthquake-affected areas had used low quality roofing sheets for constructing makeshift classrooms.
While more than 8000 schools and over 26,000 classrooms were damaged during the quake, the DoE has made a rough estimation of the damage of education property worth Rs 5 billion.
Apart from their use for monitoring the damage, the documents and photographs could be used as reference educational materials for the coming generations, said BK.
"Future generations will look at the photos and learn about the damage caused to schools by the earthquake and how classrooms were run under tents and makeshift shelters," he added.
"The disaster has taught us a great lesson so it is our responsibility to make the future generations aware about earthquakes and on safety requirements" said Engineer BK.
Related story
DoE orders crackdown on illegal schools
