One month after earthquakes, scared children return to devastated schools

Schools across Nepal reopened after a massive earthquake hit the country on April 25, killing more than 8,600 and leaving towns devastated. Classes are being held in temporary classrooms made of tents and makeshift cottages. On the first day, no formal classes were held and the students were encouraged to talk to teachers about their experience during the earthquakes to help them overcome the trauma. School authorities said children will be made to play and interact with teachers before studies start in two weeks. According to a UNICEF statement, 32,000 classrooms were destroyed and 15,352 classrooms were damaged after the two major earthquakes in Nepal. UNICEF says USD 24.1 million was needed to set up the learning centres, train more than 19,000 teachers and volunteers on psychosocial support.