Children of the families displaced by the landslide in Hupsekot Rural Municipality of Nawalparasi (East) are compelled to study in the same room.
A total of 17 students from Nursery to Grade IV are currently studying in the same room at a ward office building located at Jukepani, Hupsekot-1. Three teachers have been teaching the students of different grades in turns.
Teacher Keshmaya Makhim said that the unavailability of sufficient classrooms had affected the studies of displaced children. “They have been facing a lot of difficulties as they have to attend class by sitting on a mat,” said Makhim, adding, “This has not only led to the deterioration in the quality of education but has made it difficult for teachers to teach effectively.”
The 18 displaced families of Bagkhor in Hupsekot-5 have been settled in various places of the district. A total of 13 displaced families are currently residing in tents set up on the ground of bus park construction area in Beluwa, Hupsekot-1, three families have been placed at a local school while two families are residing in the ward office building.
The children of the displaced families were admitted to Nawadurga Primary School in Bagkhor. Makhim is the principal of Nawadurga School.
“As the parents refused to send their children to other schools, we are compelled to adjust all students in one room,” said Pawan Aryal, chief administrative officer of the Rural Municipality.
“We have not taken our responsibility of providing quality education to the children lightly. The classrooms would be managed appropriately as soon as possible,” said Aryal.
Some 128 people of 18 families had resided on the premises of Janata Secondary School after the landslide swept away their houses and properties. “After the displaced families insisted that we settle them elsewhere citing the studies of their children were affected, we managed them in various places,” said Aryal.
Along with the beginning of winter season, it is extremely cold during the mornings in tents while the temperature gets extremely high in the afternoon, said the landslide victims, demanding to settle them in appropriate places immediately.
“It is tough to stay in a tent as we have to keep our infants safe from cold,” said Khagisara Rana, a victim. “It is freezing cold during the mornings and extremely hot in the daytime.”
Rana also complained that they had run out of cooking gas. “We are currently cooking with the help of firewood. It would be easier for us if the government built sheds for us soon,” she added.
Source : TRN,
