Kathmandu, March 4

Minister of Education Giriraj Mani Pokharel today urged the National Reconstruction Authority to prioritise reconstruction of schools and academic institutions.

Last year’s massive earthquake had damaged/destroyed a total of 8,000 schools, depriving around one million children of education. Many children are still taking classes under the open sky in various parts of the country after the quake damaged their schools.

Earlier, Minister Pokharel had pledged to complete reconstruction of schools within three years. Thus, he had called the NRA officials and other concerned to his office to talk about giving momentum to reconstruction of schools.

During the meeting, he also directed the officials to complete the assigned task within the stipulated time. He said, “School is a second home to kids.

Children spend most of their time in schools after home, thus I urge all to prioritise reconstruction of schools and support the education ministry in accomplishing the task within three years.”

The government has accorded third priority to reconstruction of schools and has targeted to complete the task within five years.

Earlier, the MoE had planned to reconstruct schools and educational infrastructures in 31 districts, including the 14 worst affected by the earthquakes. The government had allocated a budget of Rs 2.4 billion for reconstruction of schools and other educational infrastructures.

The MoE plans to complete 20 per cent of reconstruction works within the first year, 20 per cent in the second year and the remaining 60 per cent by the third year.