MADAN WAGLE

GORKHA: A total of around Rs 1.2 billion has been sought to rebuild schools, destroyed by the devastating April 25 earthquake and its aftershocks, in Gorkha district, where epicentre of the main shock lied.

District Education Officer (DEO) Hari Aryal said the sum is needed to reconstruct as many as 3,052 classrooms, which were completely destroyed in the quake.

"So far, we have built 2,500 temporary huts to run classes," the official said, "We are working for the same at some schools."

Meanwhile, Aryal informed that all 495 community schools and 47 private schools in the district have already reopened after the quake and students' attendance is very good.

The teachers were trained on psychosocial counselling before resuming the classes, according to Aryal.

Most schools of the district have been organising dances, songs and other extracurricular activities to relax the students.