Classes are important, but they got to go when they got to go. But it’s not that easy. Nature’s call comes with a lot of hassles for students of Prabha Higher Secondary School at Kattike Deurali-2 in Kavre. They have to walk all the way back home. 

Shubhdra Giri of Kattike Deurali-7 is a ninth grader. It takes her half an hour to reach the school. With no water in the toilets at school, she has to dash off to home to attend nature’s call. 

“We are facing a hard time,” said Giri. 

Asmita Gautam, a 10th grader, said the school has two toilets but students can use only one which is without water. “There is a water tank on the roof but it is always empty,” she added. 

There is a public water tap on the school premises. “But it is always crowded; people living in the school vicinity come here to collect water,” said Gautam. “At times, we face drinking water problem as well.” 

Chuda Koirala, a teacher, said the school has built a girl-friendly toilet but failed to ensure water. “We are facing acute shortage of water,” said Koirala. 

The only tap that the school has on its premises is used by locals, said Koirala. 

Water shortage is not only the school’s problem; the entire village is reeling under acute water crisis. 

The villagers and the school are waiting for Churikhola Lifting Water Project to complete. They hope to have sufficient water once the project start distributing water. 

Kattike Deurali VDC was declared open defecation-free zone last year. 

“But shortage of water has left us worried,” said VDC Secretary Kusm Sirmal.