Norwegian Ambassador Lasse Bjørn Johannessen and German Ambassador Roland Schäfer jointly inaugurated Komin Shyameywangphel Secondary School in Syafru Besi, Rasuwa.

 Komin Shyameywangphel is the biggest school in the district, and is the first fully reconstructed building to be handed over by Recovery Program Nepal (RPN), implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

 According to a press release issued by Embassy of Germany in Kathmandu, the reconstruction of the school has been fully funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy. GIZ/BMZ has contributed with support to soft components such as training on earthquake resistant building, safeguarding measures and menstrual health in the framework of Recovery Programme Nepal. The school has 467 students, of which 234 are girls and 6 are with disability.

 In Rasuwa, all 98 schools in the district were completely or partially damaged. 7 organizations have committed to constructing 90 schools across Rasuwa, of which only 15schools have been completed so far.

 This inauguration and handover is therefore a critical step towards sustainably restoring the education system and providing a safe learning environment. Despite this, 8 displaced schools in Langtang, Haku and Dandagau have no commitments from any organization and still remain to be constructed, and a girls’ hostel for female students attending Komin ShyameyWangphel is still lacking.

 Komin Shyamey Wangphel Secondary School is built using earthquake-resistant technology in compliance with the Government of Nepal building code. At the same time, it adheres to building instructions of German Development Cooperation.

 In case of future disasters, it can thus provide secure shelter to the entire village. As part of the RPN’s integrated approach to recovery, trauma healing trainings for teachers and emergency pedagogy for students have been carried out.

 The concept of a ‘green school’ will be promoted through anti-pollution, environmental and waste management principles. Disabled friendly accesses as well as separate WASH facilities for boys and girls have been constructed. Cash for work initiatives hired locals for landscaping and other preliminary works on the building. The furniture for the school is being made as part of on-the-job-training. Overall this has resulted in an increase in employment and community participation across the village.

 Other livelihood-restoring activities supported by RPN in Rasuwa district include agricultural support for commercial farming, skills development trainings like carpentry, masonry, electrical wiring, and improvements to small-scale infrastructure (trail-routes, irrigation canals, drinking water supply system, resting shed and water mills). RPN works in Dhading, Rasuwa and Nuwakot for reconstruction of 37 health facilities, 14 schools, 40 social and productive infrastructures, and other livelihood related activities. The RPN also provided emergency relief and continues to provide assistance to District Disaster Management Committees in all 3 districts.

 The Royal Norwegian Embassy supports the reconstruction of36 schools with a total budget of approximately EUR 5 million. 14 of these schools are in Dhading, Nuwakot and Rasuwa and are reconstructed in cooperation with GIZ/BMZ.