KAVRE: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) along with the government handed over the newly reconstructed Shree Kali Devi Primary School in Kavre District to the community amid a ceremony held on Monday. The April 2015 earthquake had badly damaged the school, destroying five classrooms and other facilities.

The reconstructed quake-resistant school under the Earthquake Emergency Assistance Project (EEAP) jointly financed by ADB, which provided $200 million, and Government of Nepal, which contributed $33.4 million has seven classrooms and a library in three buildings as well as separate toilet blocks for girls and boys. Prior to the construction of the new buildings, students were taking classes at temporary makeshift classrooms.

“The project is rebuilding 154 schools damaged by the earthquake and 11 schools are ready to be handed over to the community. The schools include stronger construction and engineering specifications that are designed to help the structures withstand future earthquakes,” ADB said in a statement, “The EEAP-supported school reconstruction program is scheduled for completion in early 2019.”

The United States Agency for International Development co-financed the project and has contributed $10 million, ADB stated.