Construction of new school buildings and sanitary toilet facilities at Siddha Jyohi Harimishra basic school and Shiva basic school in Betali of Ramechhap district was completed in July 2019. From the beginning of the project, FIDR has been encouraging teachers and school management committee of two schools in maintenance and management of the buildings. Almost one year have passed since the inauguration ceremonies of both schools. During this one year, both schools have been making efforts to improve the learning environment, and many positive changes can be seen in children, their parents and teachers of the schools.

At both schools, children have been learning at temporary classrooms made by bamboo and soil set up after the Great Earthquake in 2015. However, after the new school buildings were built, teachers and members of school management committee of schools have taken initiative in creating a better learning environment for children. Dust bins were placed and teaching materials were presented in the classrooms; a new hand-washing area has been set up near the toilet built by FIDR; table suitable for children of preschool level was made and so on. Thanks to these efforts of teachers and school management committee, children can learn in a safe and comfortable space now.

Children were learning in the temporary classroom (Siddha Jyohi Harimishra basic school)

Now teaching materials can be posted on the wall in the new classroom.

These efforts have brought positive changes in children, their parents and teachers of the schools. When the children studied in the temporary classrooms before, they couldn’t hear the teachers’ voice clearly, especially in rainy or windy day. But now, they can concentrate on the classes and listen the teachers’ voice clearly all the time. At Shiva basic school, while only half of 8th grade student passed the graduation exam last year, all the students passed in the exam this year.
Parents have also paid more attention to their children than before. For example, more children wearing clean clothes can be seen now. Also, parents pay more attention to children’s learning and communication with the teachers increased.

The spread of COVID19 occurred unexpectedly from this spring. Both schools had to close their schools from mid-March in accordance with the decision of the Government of Nepal. However, teachers who always worried about their children's learning, visited their houses and provided lessons to a small group of children from August. With the decision made by local government about reopening the schools in the area, in September, the schools are gradually opened while thoroughly taking preventive measures against the COVID19, such as social distancing in the classroom and hand washing before class.