School Strengthening program successfully held in Bhktapur

An inaugural ceremony for the strengthened building of Adarsha Ajad Higher Secondary School in Bhaktapur was organized on 10 July 2014. The building was strengthened under the School Safety Program of the DOE with the support from Temasek Foundation Singapore through the technical support from Nangyang Technological University Singapore and National Society for Earthquake Technology- Nepal (NSET).

Under the campaign 'Knowledge Sharing and Technology Transfer for Earthquake Risk Mitigation in Nepal', the Department of Education (Government of Nepal), Singapore-based Temasek Foundation (TF), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the National Society for Earthquake Technology (NSET–Nepal) jointly completed this important piece of work. These four organizations have been collaborating to strengthen earthquake-related disaster mitigation efforts in Nepal. Under the 'training and capacity-building programme on seismic strengthening for master and local builders in Nepal', over 30 master trainers and 120 local builders  are being trained by these organisations in the strengthening and retrofitting of buildings.

The first two schools, Adarsha Ajad Higher Secondary School of Bhaktapur and Tilingataar Higher Secondary School of Dhapasi, Kathmandu, have already been strengthened. The strengthening of the remaining four school buildings and the training of local builders and masons is in progress. The latest technologies for structural strengthening using FRP which makes the retrofitting of existing buildings much faster, are being integrated with existing methods using bar-mesh and splint bandage technologies.

At the inauguration program of Adarsha Ajad Higher Secondary School in Bhaktapur, Prof. Li Bing, Director, NHRC , Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, mentioned that "the  objective of this international collaborative effort is to enable sharing of knowledge and technology in seismic risk reduction. The project uses multiple channels like capacity enhancement through personnel training at various levels ranging from professionals and sector experts to local builders and masons. Theoretical and classroom training is combined with experiential learning through the actual strengthening of selected schools. Training manuals are prepared for both ‘master trainers’ and local masons. Further, all participants and actively encouraged to spread awareness among their peers, colleagues and coworkers about the technical and other aspects covered under the programme. Overall, through this project NTU hopes to promote good construction practices that will enhance the earthquake resistance of buildings."

He also stressed that Nepal has been struck by several high intensity quakes in the past and the people have faced severe hardships in terms of loss of lives and livelihoods. With introduction of technologies that are simple, easily replicable and cost-effective it is imperative that losses due to earthquakes be prevented and mitigated as far as possible. The need of the hour is for having strengthened buildings that could resist and delay collapse during earthquakes.

Mr. Gerald Yeo, Director of Programmes and Partnerships at Temasek Foundation, Singapore, mentioned that "children and teachers as also parents will feel much more secure and comfortable in the strengthened school buildings." He urged the trained engineers and masons to replicate the construction practices in their future work and share their knowledge with many more of their co-workers and friends. Further, he added that "Temasek Foundation is proud and happy to associate in this noble cause and contribute to the vital and timely school-based DRR activities which have a tremendous positive impact on society, due to  schools' direct links to everyday people."

Mr. Kamal Prasad Pokhrel, Director of the Department of Education of the Government of Nepal, while thanking all the participants from various organisations and the local community members, stressed on the beneficial impacts of safer school buildings and appreciated the support the School Safety Program is receiving from NTU and Temasek Foundation. He also emphasized that this is a model program and that the Department is planning to scale up and implement this worthwhile and effective program all over the country in the foreseeable future. He accepted that while only a few school are strengthened so far, thousands of schools still remain to be retrofitted, so these activities must be taken up with renewed vigour in the future.

Mr. Ramesh Gurgain, Deputy Executive director of NSET, stated that "the School Safety Program is a major priority for NSET and that they were ready to collaborate with the Department of Education to provide technical support."

Students, teachers, parents, management committee members, journalists and others from the community participated in this event.

During the day, certificates were awarded to the masons who were trained while working on the strengthening of Adarsh Ajaad School.

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