Kaligandaki flood-affected school kids in Jaljala longing for educational materials

Parbat, Oct 5: Diwas KC, a tenth-grade student at Shiva Secondary School at Pharse in Jaljala Rural Municipality-7, Parbat, experienced a devastating situation when flooding swept away his residence.     

The catastrophic event resulted in the loss of his notebooks, textbooks, school uniform, and bags when the Kaligandaki River inundated his home. While relief efforts have addressed food and clothing shortages, educational materials remain largely unattended.     

The displaced residents of Lasti have been sheltering in temporary plastic sheds for ten days, with some having relocated to relatives' homes.     

Although food security remains a long-term concern, rice, vegetables, salt, and oil have been distributed to affected households through district and province-level relief initiatives. However, students who lost their educational materials face distinct hardships.     

Sulabh Thapa, an eighth-grade student, shared that despite numerous relief distribution groups visiting the village, none have provided books, leaving him repeatedly disappointed. Approximately forty students at the School, situated near the flood-affected Kaligandaki area, lost their school uniforms, textbooks, and writing materials.     

The school remains closed, though administrators plan to reopen today following parental consultation.     

Students now face the challenge of attending classes without proper clothing or supplies. Concerns about examination preparation weigh heavily on the community.     

Local resident Parvati Acharya notes that treating flood victims with pity compounds their suffering. She emphasizes the critical shortage of children's educational materials in the area. Teacher Lakshmi Malla Thapa's agricultural land was completely destroyed by the flood. As a pregnant woman without shelter, she has been staying with neighbours.