Unauthorized Settlements Bulldozed, School Structure Demolished

Kathmandu. During the government's removal of unauthorized settlements along the Manohara River, a bulldozer ran over Saraswati Basic School in Ward 1 of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality in the second week of Baishakh. This school, established in 2062 BS, received government permission in Ashadh 2065 BS.

Indira Mahat had come as the head teacher in Magh 2065 BS. Although permitted to teach up to Grade 1, when she arrived at Saraswati Basic School, classes were being conducted up to Grade 4. Initially, there were 30/40 students here.

According to Head Teacher Mahat, a building with five rooms was initially constructed with the help of a non-governmental organization. Within a year, another three-room, single-story RCC building was constructed, which helped manage classes with the increase in student numbers.

The school had created an attractive educational environment by constructing structures like a beautiful garden and a stage. In 2071 BS, the school received permission to teach up to Grade 8. The education of 275 children studying in this school, where teaching was ongoing, has been affected by the demolition of its structure.

Head Teacher Mahat stated that this incident has deeply hurt her and the entire school. She mentioned that they were informed about the school's demolition only two days prior through public announcements.

The school administration and locals did not attempt to move the belongings, believing that government structures would not be demolished. She was further reassured after inquiring at the Ministry of Urban Development and being informed that government structures would not be demolished.

When the news of bulldozers coming to demolish settlements spread on Friday, Baishakh 11, the school's teachers and staff went to move the belongings. Head Teacher Mahat said that she believed the locals when they said the settlement would not be demolished.

She lamented that even after contacting the police chief and various agencies on the same day, she did not receive clear information about the school's future. On Saturday evening, Baishakh 12, the bulldozers that entered the settlement demolished some houses nearby but did not damage the school building. She felt some relief after that.

She lamented that even after contacting the police chief and various agencies on the same day, she did not receive clear information about the school's future. On Saturday evening, Baishakh 12, the bulldozers that entered the settlement demolished some houses nearby but did not damage the school building. She felt some relief after that.

However, this relief was short-lived. Early on Monday morning, Baishakh 14, Head Teacher Mahat received a call from the police chief – asking her to come to the school quickly and arrange to move the belongings. According to Mahat, when she and a few teacher friends rushed to the school, the bulldozer had already started demolishing it. She recounted how difficult it was to move belongings amidst police presence while the bulldozer was demolishing the structure in the rain.

'In the haste, we could only save some desks, benches, and textbooks brought for the new academic session, but the invaluable books in the school's library, important documents, and other furniture were destroyed by getting wet in the rain,' said Head Teacher Mahat.

Immediately after the school was demolished, Head Teacher Mahat coordinated with the education branch and the ward office to arrange for the children's education. It was decided to temporarily operate classes in the community building of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality-1.

According to Mahat, the initial problem was finding the children and contacting them. Now, about 200 students have started studying in the community building, and the remaining students are also coming. Although classes are being conducted in the community building, the situation is still not normal.

The students become emotional remembering the large rooms and play areas of their old school. Bhavana Magar, a student in Grade 3, said, 'We really miss our old school. We used to get snacks there, we could play, and there were clean toilets.'

The students become emotional remembering the large rooms and play areas of their old school. Bhavana Magar, a student in Grade 3, said, 'We really miss our old school. We used to get snacks there, we could play, and there were clean toilets.'

She said it felt very bad to see the school being demolished by a bulldozer. Saifuddin Miya, a student in Grade 2, has a different kind of pain. After his house was demolished, one of his friends went to India.

Saifuddin said, 'I had a friend. His house was demolished, and then he went to India. Now I don't have a friend to play with. I need a big school where all my friends can come together.'

He recalled that his school was very good and that he could play and study in its large rooms. Other students also complained about the difficulty of playing and studying in the community building. 'We can't play in a small room, we need a big, good school,' they said.

Ashutosh Pyakurel, a volunteer from Rambo Volunteer Club, informed that his organization is providing snacks to the students. He said that many children from this area used to study at his tuition center as well. That is why he is helping these children.

New admissions have also started. Pramila Tamang brought her son from the village to enroll him in Grade 5, but she is uncertain after seeing the condition of the demolished school.

New admissions have also started. Pramila Tamang brought her son from the village to enroll him in Grade 5, but she is uncertain after seeing the condition of the demolished school. She said, 'I came here because the education in the village is not good, but now I don't know what will happen. I have enrolled him, let's see.'

Head Teacher Mahat argued that while demolishing government structures might be a necessity for the state, if they had been given a little more time to manage the belongings, state property could have been saved. She stated that the municipality had talked about merging the school elsewhere based on the number of students, but they believe it should be managed here instead.

'Shree Saraswati Basic School is the only community school in Ward No. 1, so its importance is even greater,' said Head Teacher Mahat. 'I urge the Ministry of Education and the central government to provide assistance for the permanent management of the school.'

This incident raises questions about the right to access education and human sensitivity. The head teacher, parents, and volunteers emphasize that the government must find a long-term solution for the bright future of the children as soon as possible.