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Continuous rainfall in the last week of Bhadra 081 caused a landslide that damaged the building of Saraswati Basic School in Musetti, Bhimdatta Municipality-9, disrupting educational activities. The landslide that took place from above the road has damaged the area near Saraswati Basic School. Recently, authorities cleared the debris from the road, allowing transportation to resume. The school’s principal, Diwakar Joshi, stated that the landslide, which occurred during continuous rainfall in theSeptember, entered the classroom, damaging documents and furniture and affecting the building. He added that the lack of repairs has caused disruptions in operating the school.

Two months have passed since the landslide damaged the school building, but authorities have not carried out any repairs. The principal of Saraswati Basic School, Diwakar Joshi, said they informed the municipality, the Education Development and Coordination Committee, and the District Administration Office about the damage. But there has been no progress on repairs or constructing a new building. No one has come for inspection, and the landslide has made the building uninhabitable. Additionally, of the two buildings at the school, the three-room building sustained damage from the landslide. The building is dilapidated, with cracks in various places, making it unfit for students. The retaining wall behind the school was also destroyed by the landslide. In the other two-room building, one room is used as an office. Principal Joshi mentioned that due to limited space, students from two different grades have to be taught in the same room at Saraswati Basic School, which has classes up to grade 5.

Moreover, after the school building was damaged, classes are currently conducted outside in the field for a few hours. One room, besides the office, has been divided into two. Principal Joshi expressed that the landslide has created significant challenges in accommodating students. He also mentioned that dividing the room into two still causes issues, as noise pollution disrupts the teaching process. Teacher Dabbal Biata mentioned that it is challenging to teach different subjects to students of two grades in the same classroom. Saraswati Basic School has 40 students enrolled. He explained that the landslide has damaged the building, making the three rooms unfit for use. Due to the risk, students are not kept in those rooms. As a result, the school is forced to teach students from two grades in the same room.

The chairperson of Bhimdatta Municipality Ward No. 9, Gagansingh Karki, stated that a technical team was sent to the school to assess the damage, and the report has been submitted to the municipality. He assured that the construction and repair work of the damaged school building will be carried out as soon as possible.

The school, established in 2006, currently employs four teachers, including two permanent staff, one in early childhood development, and one from private sources. Principal Joshi expressed concern, stating that the teacher funded by private sources has not been paid since last December.

Lilly Kunwar