The MoE is planning to reconstruct schools in 31 districts, including 14 worst-affected by April and May earthquakes

Kathmandu, January 10

Ministry of Education recently formed a separate unit to oversee reconstruction of schools damaged and destroyed in the April and May earthquakes.

According to Minister for Education Giriraj Mani Pokharel, the Project Implementation Unit , which has been formed to oversee reconstruction of damaged and destroyed schools, is led by Joint-secretary Krishna Prasad Kapri.

Kapri has also worked as the chief of Central Regional Education Directorate.

“Currently, reconstruction of schools and educational institutions damaged by the quake is top priority of the government,” said minister Pokharel.

He stated that officials of the ministry, including the education minister, will soon visit damaged and destroyed schools in the earthquake-affected districts.

As stated by the minister, a six-member District Project Implementation Unit, will also be set up under the leadership of an engineer in districts where the damaged infrastructures need to be reconstructed.

Chief of the Project Implementation Unit, Kapri, said the main purpose of the unit will be to oversee reconstruction of schools and other educational infrastructures damaged in the earthquake.

“We will visit earthquake-affected districts and inspect schools and other educational infrastructures damaged in the earthquake and prepare a concrete work plan for their reconstruction by January 24,” he said.

The MoE is planning to reconstruct schools and educational infrastructures in 31 districts, including 14 worst affected by the earthquake.

MoE officials have already made an assessment of damage to schools in some districts such as Khotang, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu and Sindhupalchok.

MoE officials will also soon visit Ramechhap, Dolakha, Sindhuli, Kavre and other districts to identify and assess the damage to educational infrastructures.

The government has allocated Rs 2.4 billion for the reconstruction of schools and educational infrastructures. “MoE is planning to complete reconstruction works within three years.

Twenty per cent of reconstruction works will be completed in the first year and the same per cent in the second year and the remaining in the third year,” Kapri added.

According to MoE, a total of 8,000 schools were damaged or destroyed in the earthquakes. This has affected around 1 million children.