Laying the foundations for safe learning

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

"Namaste!" The adorable children of Shree Saraswoti Primary School greet us in unison as we enter the school. The little ones are excited to meet us. "Namaste, good afternoon," we greet them with a smile.

 

Ramkrishna Khanal, the school principal and his team welcome us with khadas (traditional ceremonial scarfs) and ask us if we had any difficulty reaching the school, situated in a slightly remote location of Narjamandap Village Development Committee, Nuwakot. "The roads are not blacktopped here and the ride can get quite bumpy. Vehicles do not come here often," he explains.

After a casual conversation we start discussing the school and the school children over tea.

 

Ramkrishna explains, "Helping a school will not change the world but it will surely change the world for that one school. That's exactly what World Vision has done for us."

Basudev Khanal, a teacher at the school, adds, "We do not even like to recall that horrific day of last year's earthquake. It severely damaged our school infrastructure and put the lives of innocent school children at risk but, thankfully, we have received much support after the earthquake."

A one-storey school building has been reconstructed by World Vision with the support of Disasters Emergency Committee, UK. The building was officially handed over to the school administration just a month ago during a public event where the students, their parents and teachers expressed their gratitude to World Vision. 

Ramkrishna believes human life and security are of paramount importance.  He says, "The construction of this building has been done according to earthquake-resistant  construction  standards and we now feel safe to conduct our classes here. Even the parents and guardians of the school children feel safe to send their children to school because they know this new building is quite robust."

 

Not only have the reconstructed classrooms directly benefitted the school students and teachers but they have also had a positive impact in the local community as the awareness of many community members of the importance of earthquake-resistant construction and disaster preparedness has significantly increased.

But most important of all, the newly reconstructed building has brought joy and pleasure to the children. When they saw the changes, they were amazed and very appreciative.

Nabin, 9, a third grade student says, "Before the building was reconstructed our classroom walls had several major cracks due to the earthquake and it was impossible to study there. Now that same building has been made earthquake-resistant and we are able to study without fear."

 

"Our school building is so beautiful. There is such a pleasant smell in the classrooms," says Abhiral, 4, a nursery student.

This school has also been supported with toilet construction as well as material support for Early Childhood Education and Development (ECED) centres. Basudev says, "During recess the excited ECED students queue up to read educational books and play with toys provided by World Vision."

"The first five years of life is a time when change and growth occur more rapidly than any other time in a child’s life. Surrounded by their families and communities, young children need to be supported in the development of physical, mental, and social abilities that will enable them to thrive," he adds.

As I prepare to exit the school I see something written on a nearby classroom black board. It reads: We are safe now.

By creating better and safe learning opportunities for school children and focusing on the need for quality education World Vision is committed to contribute in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.