India signs MoU for reconstruction of 6 Secondary schools in Nepal

India and Nepal on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the reconstruction of six Secondary schools in the Himalayan nation.

The MoU was signed between the Indian Embassy and Nepal's Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Education) of Nepal Reconstruction Authority (NRA).

The MoU was for the construction of six secondary schools at a total cost of Nepali Rupees 518 million, according to a statement by the Indian embassy.

Of the six schools four: Kanti Bhairab Secondary School, Champa Devi Secondary School, Dhapasi Secondary School, Bishnu Devi Secondary School are located in Kathmandu district and two: Siddheshwor Secondary School and Harisiddhi Secondary School are located in Kavre district.

Out of those six schools, groundbreaking ceremony of one was held on Thursday amid a ceremony in Thali of Kathmandu.

The signing of the memorandum took place at a ceremony for the reconstruction of Shree Kanti Bhairab Secondary School at Kageshwari Municipality, Kathmandu.

The ceremony was attended by Namgya C. Khampa, Deputy Chief of Embassy of India, Kathmandu, and Sushil Gywali, CEO of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) of Government of Nepal.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief of Indian Embassy Khampa said that the groundbreaking was a testament to the strong and robust development partnership between India and Nepal.

She further said that India remains committed to continue collaborating with Government of Nepal and its agencies for socio-economic development of Nepal, including post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Nepal, according to the embassy's statement.

The event was also attended by Mayor of Kageshwari Municipality, Secretary NRA and representatives of Shree Kanti Bhairab School Management Committee.

"Main building of our school was destroyed by 2015 earthquake. There were cracks all over the building, we faced water leakage creating a lot of problems for students as well as for us to conduct the classes. After the Indian assistance, we will get a well facilitated, wheelchair-friendly infrastructure for which I would thank the Government of India, Nepal Reconstruction Authority and other stakeholders who played a pivotal role," Tirtha Koirala, Principal of the Shree Kanti Bhairab Secondary School told .

"With the completion of the new building, our school will be furnished in terms of the physical structure along with it would improve the educational as well as the economic status of the institution," Tirtha added

Shree Kanti Bhairab Secondary School is being reconstructed at a cost of Nepali Rupees 266 million and will be built as per earthquake-resilient reconstruction norms of the Nepal government.

The new three-floor building will have 30 classrooms, library and lab/practical rooms, separate station facilities for boys and girls and also furniture.

The Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, a premier institute in India in the field of earthquake-resilient reconstruction, will provide technical hand-holding for construction of these schools.

( With inputs from ANI )