Work to be completed in 20 months
KATHMANDU, Aug 4: Reconstruction of Durbar High School, the oldest school of Nepal that was severely damaged by the 2015 earthquakes, has formally kicked off, with Education Minister Giriraj Mani Pokhrel and Chinese ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong jointly unveiling the reconstruction project amid a function on the school premises on Friday.
The school, which is also known as Bhanu Secondary School, is being reconstructed with financial support from the Chinese government. The reconstruction project is one of the 25 China Aid post-disaster reconstruction projects in Nepal. The Chinese side aims to complete the school reconstruction in 20 months.
Govt starts Durbar High School demolition
The new building will spread over 4,200 square meters will have four stories and over 40 classrooms. While the new structure was designed by China Aviation Planning and Design Institute, Shanghai Construction Group Co., Ltd is reconstructing the school building on behalf of the Chinese government.
Speaking at the function after the project inception ceremony, Minister Pokhrel thanked the Chinese government for its strong support and assistance to Nepal's economic and social development, especially in the field of education, science and technology. “The school is being reconstructed by the Chinese side based on the project implementation agreement reached between the governments of the two neighbors on July 13, 2017,” he said.
He said the school will continue to remain an important historical and archeological structure even after its reconstruction. “I am confident that the construction will be completed on time and the students will be able to pursue quality education in a safe structure,” he added.
Similarly, Ambassador Yu said that the school will become a new symbol of Nepal-China friendship. She hoped that all the authorities concerned will cooperate with the school construction work to ensure that the project is completed on time. She requested the contractor to ensure that the construction is of high standard so that the students can study in safe and comfortable environment.
She also reiterated that the Chinese government will continue to provide help to Nepal's economic and social development within its capacity, promote post-disaster reconstruction projects actively, provide more government scholarships and training opportunities for the Nepali side, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in education, and people-to-people relations.
