RUKUM WEST: As many as 61 schools, primarily in Athabiskot Municipality of Rukum West, have been severely impacted by the powerful earthquake of November 3.

Athabiskot municipality has borne the brunt of the disaster, with a staggering toll on educational infrastructure.

More than 100 buildings across these schools have been reduced to rubble, while others suffered varying degrees of damage.

The grim statistics reveal that 63 buildings within the district’s 61 schools have been completely destroyed, and an additional 18 have sustained partial damage.

The destructive force of the earthquake extended beyond classrooms, affecting 13 toilets, and causing erosion of school walls and fields.

Aathbiskot municipality alone has witnessed physical devastation in 33 schools, including notable institutions such as Jana Bikash High School, Ardasha High School, Nepal Rastriya High School, Kalika High School, Gorakhnath School, and others.

The Saraswati Education Development and Coordination Unit Rukumpaschim reported significant damage to schools like Athabiskot School, Brahmadevi Primary School, Mastakailash Primary School, and many more.

Tribeni Rural Municipality faced the impact with three schools — Himalaya Janata High School, Balbodh School, and Janapriya High School — all experiencing complete or partial damage.

Sani Bheri Rural Municipality bore the brunt with 16 community schools affected, including Janakalyan High School, Sheetal High School, Baljyoti High School, and others.

In Musikot municipality, four schools, namely Prabhat High School, Janakalyan High School, Musikot Khalanga Campus, and Laxmi High School, reported structural damage.

Banfikot Rural Municipality faced damage to Child Development Basic School Badagaon, while Chaurjahari Municipality witnessed the destruction of three schools –Public Welfare School, Aishwarya School, and Public Secondary School.