The government demolished Manohara’s Shri Saraswati Primary School during the eviction of informal settlements along the riverbanks. Buddha Jyoti Udyan and Bal Kalyan Primary Schools, located in Balaju, have been relocated to Tarun and Yuvak Secondary Schools, respectively. Kathmandu Metropolitan City is preparing to merge these schools and considers the relocations temporary arrangements. (21 Baishakh, Kathmandu).
On Monday morning at 10 AM, students and teachers of Shri Saraswati Primary School gathered at the community hall in Madhyapur Thimi Municipality-1. Among the students, the question “Why was our school demolished?” circulated with no definitive answers. After the demolition, they assembled in the community hall to continue their studies. According to the government’s decision, enrollment started on Baishakh 15, and classes were to begin from Baishakh 21; however, no classrooms were available for study.
Monday morning found teachers busy organizing the space. Some were hanging tents, others arranging desks and benches, while students carried desks themselves. Many parents had come to enroll their children at the community hall. Parent Tikmaya Shrestha said, “We cannot afford private schools; since this school was nearby, we intended to send our children here. My children are in grades 6 and 7; it’s not feasible to send them far away.”
Headteacher Indira Mahat coordinated with the municipality to run two multi-shift classes. “The students’ education has not halted. Even with shifts, we are continuing classes,” she stated. “I am still in communication with the municipality and ward chairperson.” The school has 275 students, but currently, only 170 have enrolled. There are 15 teachers. After the demolition, teachers, parents, and students are struggling to maintain the learning environment.
“There was no prior notice before the demolition. We thought there would be no issue since it was a government building. We only learned the demolition would happen after the police removed the property,” the headteacher explained. Currently, textbooks are stored in the ward office near the community hall. Parent Meenkumari Magar had come to pick up her son, who studies in grade 3. She commented, “Since my workplace is close to the school, it is convenient to bring and take him.” The school building, constructed in 2005 BS, was demolished by government bulldozers, disrupting education.
Buddha Jyoti Udyan Primary School building in Balaju was also demolished with bulldozers. This school has been relocated to Tarun Secondary School. Originally there were 120 students, with 110 enrolled for the new session, but after demolition, students have dispersed. “We have started classes at Tarun Secondary. The Metropolitan Office has sent an official transfer letter,” said Headteacher Shantaram Shrestha. Bal Kalyan Primary School in Balaju, also demolished, has been transferred to Yuvak Secondary School, where 120 students studied. “All school materials are kept at Yuvak Secondary, and teachers and staff report there,” explained Headteacher Arjun Mudbhari.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City has announced plans to merge these schools. “We have arranged one school at Tarun and the other at Yuvak Secondary, and now we will proceed with the merging process,” said the metropolitan spokesperson, Naveen Mandhar.
