As a result, students of those schools have been continuing their studies without the fears of earthquake. In contrast, other schools with damaged structures have been running classes under makeshift houses, tarpaulins or even under the open sky.Such buildings can withstand earthquakes recording eight on the Richter scale. The technology has been used in schools of Taxindu and Basa VDCs of the district.
Chairman of Basa school management committee, Buddhi Kiran Rai, informed that such buildings were constructed by a social organization "The Small World". "Although the so called quake-resistant buildings suffered severe damages, earthbag buildings have been largely unaffected by the recent earthquakes," said Rai.
Similarly, Uttraman Rai, Chairman of Saraswati Primary School of Taxindu, said the earthbag technology has helped create a safe environment for teachers, parents and students.
While constructing such buildings, bags filled with soil are used to build walls and are later wired around and plastered with cement to create strong, quake-resistant buildings. "Many claimed quake-resistant school buildings in Nepal have not even followed the criteria set by the government and are in great risks if the quake aftershocks don't stop," said Karma Sherpa, chairman of "The Small World", adding, "Hence, we have started constructing quake-resistant buildings for schools, which proven highly effective".
The construction team, which consists of an American engineer and foreign workers, took four months to complete their works in the two VDCs. The team has claimed that they are the first to build earthbag buildings in Nepal.
"Such buildings would be quite easier for people to build as many villages are been facing shortage of stones which are used for building houses," said Sherpa.
American engineer Travis, who was involved in the project in Nepal said, "Earthbags technology is used also in my country."
As the quake caused damages to most of the school buildings, earthbag technology can be used as an alternative. "We'll also initiate debate and press all the schools in this area to construct their buildings using earthbag technology," said Santosh Babu Rai, chairman of Darshan Higher Secondary School.
Related story
Sindhupalchowk gets plush school buildings with Chinese assista...
