“We are studying in a room with many cracks”, he said, adding that they are worried about being trapped in the building in case it collapses. School headmaster Minraj Ghimire said students have been attending classes since Wednesday. He said they have borrowed tents from the District Disaster Management Committee to make makeshift classes.

Likewise, Niljibi Ghimire, a teacher at Saraswoti Mohan Lower Secondary School in Shreemanjang-9, said they are also planning to resume classes under the tent. Guardians are still worried about their children’s studies, he said. Similarly, Uttar Kumar Gurung, head teacher of Gauda Secondary School in Gauda-1, said his school building has collapsed in the quake but they have planned to run classes under the open sky. Chairman of Buddhamilan Secondary School Management Committee said they are not in a condition to resume classes.

193 schools destroyed in the quake

One hundred and ninety-three school buildings were destroyed by the quake in Lamjung district. A total of 27,225 students were affected in the district whereas 22 schools are shut till mid-May. According to District Education Officer Surendra Raj Parajuli, teachers are positive towards finding alternative ways to run classes. Schools in a number of villages, including Pachok, Nauthar, Kolki, Gauda, Tarkughat, Dhamilikuwa, Archalbot, Shreemanjang, Rainasamohoriakot, Khudi and Bhanja, have planned to resume classes under the tents, Parajuli said. He said around 250 tarpaulins are required for these schools.

Similarly, Chief District Officer Shrawan Kumar Timilsina said community schools have been re-opened as per the decision of the DDMC. Likewise, all private schools in the district also resumed classes on Wednesday. “Schools with damaged building will be opened after field inspection,” he said.