After 9 months without school, there is hope for education in Nepal. The decrease of the official number of Covid-19 contaminations and the urgency in front of the massive deschooling have pushed the government to ease some rules according to the districts. Even if the situation is still unclear, we can see that many private and public schools are gradually reopening in the country.
Some schools have reopened full time, others half time, while some are waiting for authorization. This unstable situation still creates many inequalities. With hostels closed, boarding students are unfortunately unable to attend school.
The Maternelle de l'Espoir that we support in Kathmandu, for the reception and education of children of women victims of exploitation, was forced to close its premises in 2020. A move is underway, still in the Gongabu district, a sensitive area of the city in terms of exploitation. Its director and teacher, Sabita, plans to open the doors of the kindergarten on February 1.
While waiting for the children to return to school, we have distributed educational kits for 250 children in Kathmandu and Dhading with our partners Child Nepal and Prayas Nepal. We decided to help the most vulnerable children who have no means of entertainment. The kits include puzzles, coloring books, pencils and an educational tablet so that they can continue learning from a distance.
However, we still cannot speak of a return to normalcy. Barrier measures within the open schools are still imposed to avoid a new wave that would be dramatic for the country already in great suffering.
January 19, 2021
