EU, UNICEF start constructing TLCs

Kathmandu, May 11

The European Union and the United Nations Children’s Fund have begun constructing 650 Transitional Learning Centres in collaboration with the Department of Education in nine quake-affected districts.

A press statement issued jointly by EU and UNICEF said Andreas Roettger, head of cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Nepal, broke the ground of the first of these TLCs amidst a ceremony held at Shreepur Chhatiwan Village Development Committee in Makwanpur District, on May 8.

“These TLCs will provide better teaching and learning environment for students and teachers,” Roettger said, adding, “At the same time, it will raise awareness in communities.”

The statement said the project worth 4 million euros will assist in constructing TLCs in Gorkha, Kavrepalanchowk, Makwanpur, Nuwakot, Okhaldhunga, Ramechhap, Rasuwa, Sindhuli and Sindhupalchowk in collaboration with the government and partners, as well as equip them with educational materials.

These TLCs with corrugated galvanised iron sheet roofing, sturdier walls as well as gender friendly WASH facilities will provide learning spaces until more permanent structures can be built, reads the statement.

It added, once established, these learning centres, with their early childhood development centres, will also be provided with essential learning materials, and training on psychosocial counselling for 1,300 school teachers.

“Following the devastating earthquakes last year that destroyed or severely damaged over 35,000 classrooms, tremendous amount of effort was made to bring children back to school as soon as possible to minimise disruption of their education by establishing temporary learning centres,” said Tomoo Hozumi, UNICEF representative to Nepal in the statement.

“In view of the continuing need for vigilance and preparedness for disasters in the country, we need to ensure safe learning spaces for children.

The initiation of this new construction project will further enable us to support the national education system to build back better,” said Hozumi.