In Flood-Hit Nepal, Teachers Mourn Students Who Never Returned

In Rasuwa, Nepal, teachers are experiencing a somber reality as they record the names of missing students in red during morning roll calls following a devastating flood. Triggered by a glacial collapse near the China-Nepal border, the catastrophe resulted in over 1,400 deaths, with more than 5,000 still unaccounted for in the Himalayan nation one month after the event.

At Neelakantha Secondary School, a teacher circled the names of 70 students and four teachers who perished when floodwaters swept through the region on August 26.

Principal Madhav Lamichhane reported that most families in the area have lost someone to the disaster, making the grief shared among the community. Neelakantha lost 70 students and four teachers; Rama Paudel, a 36-year-old teacher, expressed profound sadness over the premature loss of young lives.

The flood destroyed around 18 schools, with recovery costs estimated at up to US$15.47 million, marking the most challenging period the education sector has faced. According to UNICEF, learning has been disrupted for more than 14,000 children at 62 schools and centers in the affected area. Education is crucial for children's recovery, offering stability and hope amidst loss and uncertainty.

However, only about half of Neelakantha's 508 students have returned to classes since lessons resumed two weeks ago. Many students are unable to reach the school due to washed-out bridges and roads. Some classrooms have been converted into relief distribution centers, highlighting the difficulties in restoring normalcy. While relief supplies reach survivors, teachers note that psychological scars may be more challenging to heal than physical damage.

Teacher Shiva Ram Bhatta emphasized the emotional toll on students, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to focus after a month of grief. Relief efforts are underway, but the next phase of recovery requires more than food and shelter, with a pressing need for psychosocial therapy and a lasting solution to help children feel normal again.