Kathmandu--Thousands of children, many still traumatised from losing homes and loved ones, returned to class Sunday as Nepal's schools formally reopened following a devastating earthquake that claimed more than 8,600 lives.
In many cases children in uniform walked through rubble to attend lessons in temporary classrooms made of bamboo or in tents on playing fields, after their schools were destroyed or badly damaged in the quake that struck on April 25.
Eight-year-old Sahaj Shrestha clung to his father as they arrived together at the gates of the state-run Madan Smarak School in the Kathmandu valley.
Sahaj's mother Mina Shrestha said their son has been too terrified to leave their side, even to go to the toilet, since the quake destroyed their home and forced them to live in a tent.
"Aftershocks are still continuing. It is difficult not to be nervous about sending the children to school again," Shrestha told AFP.
"But the teachers have assured us that it is safe here, and at least his mind will be fresh if he meets his friends and studies," she said.
Classrooms made of bamboo have been built on the school's football field, while some lessons were held in buildings checked by engineers after the quake and marked "safe".
Teachers sat with the younger children as they drew or played, with some relieved to return to a degree of normality.
"We've been staying home for so long, it is nice to play here and meet my friends again," said nine-year-old Muskan Bajracharya.
In senior classes, students were encouraged to talk about the quake or share stories about what happened to their families.
"We are not holding any formal classes and have trained the teachers to help the children overcome the trauma of the quake and adjust to (being back at) school," said principal Govinda Poudel.
Yubraj Adhikari, who is leading counselling initiatives by the International Committee of the Red Cross in quake-hit communities, said teachers must be alert to any behavioural changes.
"It is normal for children to act differently after such an experience, but we have to keep an eye out for any signs of long-term trauma in a child," he said.
AFP
