Restoring quality education with repaired schools

'Ting.. Ting.. Ting.. Ting', the school caretaker strikes the metal bell hanging from the branch of a tree, informing everyone that it’s time for the midday break.

In a moment, students at Kalika Devi Higher Secondary School come out of their temporary classrooms with giggles and noise, breaking the silence of the school precincts. Quickly munching the little snacks they’ve brought, it's time for them to do what they love the most.

Ignoring the scorching sun, the older boys play volleyball with much fervor on a small court in the playground. Nearby, the girls are playing badminton. For little ones on the other hand, this break is all about giggling and being closer to their peers. Whatever it is, this certainly is the most precious time for these children.

The smell of the paint and construction is still fresh in the three-storey school building that has recently been repaired. Painted in bright yellow and red, the school now wears a new look.

Unlike many other schools in Sindhupalchowk, this building had not suffered total destruction from the earthquake. However, with major cracks, the smooth operation of classes was profoundly affected.

"Running classes was very challenging for us at the beginning due to inadequate classrooms. Our main building was partially damaged and unsafe. We could not teach small children who were then shifted to a Temporary Learning Centre (TLC) provided by World Vision. In addition, we also constructed other temporary classes with CGI sheets. Later, we held some classes in this damaged building since we did not have any other choice," Ramji Sapkota, the school Vice Principal explains the initial months after the earthquake.

Indeed, made of bamboo, the TLC was a saviour in the early days after the disaster. Ignoring the pitfalls of teaching in a TLC, Ramji is grateful that it was for provided to the students in their hour of need. "Something is better than nothing," he says with a smile.

Yamuna is a primary school teacher  well-acquainted with the role played by Child Friendly Space (CFS) and TLC in bringing children back to school after the earthquake. "The children’s psychology was affected then. They were reluctant to come to  school. But after the construction of CFS, the picture changed. Children were willing to come to school as they could be reunited with their friends and play," she recalls.

However, having a proper and safe school was a pre-requisite to ensure quality education in the long run. Which is why, along with Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) support, World Vision began to repair schools nearly seven months ago.

"The repair work is almost completed. And we are all set to handover the school by next week," says Rajani Maharjan, the Children in Emergencies Manager.

To complement the repair work, the school will also be given other education materials and an internet connection.

Adverting to the benefit which the school can gain from this help, Ramji further says, "This can help to improve the quality of education which will eventually benefit the entire community."

The biggest concern for him however, is the challenge to utilise and protect these resources properly for the benefit of the children.

"Now that the school has been repaired and we are getting so much support, it's our responsibility to maintain it and invest it in the interest of the children."