24 may, kathmandu – Sharad Sharma Major reconstruction of the historical Durbar High School, the oldest school of Nepal damaged in the earthquake of 2015, has been over, it was shared at a programme organised in the school premises today.
“Main reconstruction work has been over in nine months. Following its full completion soon, students can take classes in a safe environment,” said ambassador of China to Nepal, Hou Yanqi attending the event, adding that China would continue to assist in the economic and social development of Nepal. The reconstruction was carried out with the cooperation of the Chinese government.
On the occasion, chief executive officer of the National Reconstruction Authority Sushil Gyewali praised the Chinese construction company, Shanghai Construction Group, which took up the reconstruction, for completing the project on time.
School principal Hemchandra Mahato said the school educational atmosphere would see a boost in the aftermath of the reconstruction work. Currently, the school runs the classes at Balmiki Campus as provisional arrangements, Exhibition Road. The 2015 earthquake damaged the 162 year-old school building, forcing the school to seek a provisional space for running the classes.
According to National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) central project implementation unit (education) chief, Eim Narayan Shrestha, the total school rebuild project cost is Rs 800 million. The Chinese Government will probably hand it to the Nepal Government by the next seven months. The Chinese Company Shanghai brought the construction materials from China except bricks, project deputy chief Dilip Shekhar Shrestha.
The previous building had three storeys while the new one has four storeys and is equipped with 45 rooms. Now the finishing works including daubing and electrification are awaited. Computer lab, library, drawing room, an auditorium and a dining hall are among the features of new building.
The Durbar High School is composed of Bhanu Secondary School and the Sanskrit Secondary School. A total of 165 students are enrolled in the Bhanu while 250 students are enrolled in the Sanskrit school. . (RSS)
