More than 500 students have been affected after authorities demolished three community schools built on public land during an eviction drive targeting squatter settlements in the Kathmandu Valley.

Classrooms at Saraswati Basic School in Madhyapur Thimi, and Buddhyoti Uddhan Basic School and Balkalyan Basic School in Balaju, were torn down. All three schools ran classes up to Grade 8.

Saraswati had 275 students, while Buddhyoti and Balkalyan each enrolled around 120. Headteachers said the demolitions, carried out at the start of the academic year, have left students and parents in uncertainty.

Indira Mahat, headteacher of Saraswati, said 150 students have already enrolled, but there is no clarity on where classes will be held. “We have stored school materials in a ward office’s community building. There is no fixed arrangement for classes,” she said.

She said discussions are ongoing with Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, the ward office and the Bhaktapur District Administration Office. Authorities have proposed merging the school with nearby institutions, but no decision has been made.

Teachers and residents, however, said the school should be relocated rather than merged. Established in 2005, Saraswati had 15 teachers. Its buildings, including those rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake, were demolished without prior consultation, drawing objections from staff and parents.

Krishna Hari Acharya, ward chair and municipal spokesperson, said talks are ongoing. “There has been consultation on merging Saraswati with nearby community schools. A decision is pending as the mayor is abroad,” he said.

In Kathmandu Metropolitan City-16, the 16-room building of Buddhyoti School, established in 1996, was also demolished. Headteacher Shantaram Shrestha said the school, built with community support, served children of daily wage workers in the New Bus Park area.

“We have moved materials to Tarun Secondary School and asked students and teachers to report there,” he said. The school had 120 students and 14 staff.

Shrestha said a request has been submitted to the metropolis for relocation. “Fifteen new students have enrolled this year, but the absence of a building has created confusion among parents,” he said.

Balkalyan School, which has operated since 1992 in the same ward, was also demolished. Headteacher Arjun Mudbhari said the school had 120 students and 11 staff.

“We have moved materials to Nepal Yuvak Secondary School. Teachers are marking attendance there,” he said, adding that the school has urged authorities to provide a suitable site.

Mudbhari said the previous site carried flood and landslide risks, but stressed that alternatives must be secured before demolition. “Schools should not be shut without providing options,” he said.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City spokesperson Nabin Manandhar said the displaced schools have been shifted to nearby secondary schools and will eventually be merged. “No new schools will be opened,” he said.

Child rights activists have criticised the demolitions, saying they have disrupted children’s right to education. The Children as Zone of Peace National Campaign has called on the government to urgently establish child-friendly learning centres and alternative educational arrangements.

The Ministry of Education has urged local governments to relocate the affected schools and ensure classes continue without interruption.