A month after the devastating flood in Nepal, teachers at the Neelakantha Secondary School in Rasuwa district are still coming to terms with the loss of 70 students and four teachers. The school, which was relatively intact, serves as a painful reminder of the disaster, with teachers marking the names of missing students in red. The flood, triggered by a glacial collapse near the China-Nepal border, has left a trail of destruction in the Himalayan nation.
The flood disaster has had a profound impact on the education sector in Nepal, with around 500 students and 24 teachers still missing in Rasuwa and neighboring districts. According to government data, 18 schools have been damaged, with estimated recovery costs of up to $15.47 million. The education ministry spokesman, Shree Prasad Bhattarai, described the situation as the worst the education sector has ever experienced.
The flood has disrupted learning for over 14,000 children at 62 schools and learning centers across the affected region. UNICEF representative Alice Akunga emphasized that education is critical to children's recovery after a disaster, providing a sense of stability, routine, and hope. However, for many families, sending children back to school is not yet possible due to damaged infrastructure.
At the Neelakantha Secondary School, fewer than half of the 508 students have resumed classes since lessons restarted two weeks ago. Principal Madhav Lamichhane said around 150 students were still unable to reach the school due to damaged bridges and roads. Some classrooms have been repurposed as relief distribution centers, highlighting the challenges of restoring normalcy.
Teachers at the school say that psychological scars may be even harder to overcome than damaged infrastructure. Many students have lost parents or seen friends being swept away, making it difficult for them to focus. Teacher Shiva Ram Bhatta emphasized that while relief supplies are reaching survivors, the next phase of recovery will require psychosocial therapy and a permanent solution.
The flood has affected not only students but also teachers, who are struggling to cope with the loss of their students and colleagues. Teacher Rama Paudel said that she and her colleagues have been remembering their students with every breath, lamenting the loss of young lives. Principal Lamichhane added that all students and teachers are going through the same pain, with many families in Rasuwa losing at least one family member.
As Nepal begins the long process of recovery, the focus is shifting from immediate relief to long-term support. With many students and teachers still missing, and schools damaged or destroyed, the road to recovery will be long and challenging. However, with the support of organizations like UNICEF and the government's efforts to restore education, there is hope that normalcy will be restored soon.
Key points
- Over 1,400 people were killed in the flood disaster in Nepal, with 5,000 still missing.
- The flood has disrupted learning for over 14,000 children at 62 schools and learning centers.
- Estimated recovery costs for damaged schools in Rasuwa and neighboring districts are up to $15.47 million.
