A Unicef press release here today said 565 ALS had been set up, covering about 60,000 students. Most of the ALSs were set up in camps or in the schools partially damaged by floods, on roads and other sites where the displaced people were living.

The unique feature of the ALSs is that ''Out of School'' children were also enrolled besides the children who attend government schools.

ALS thus provides an opportunity to ensure the enrolment of those children who were unable to attend schools and bring them back to the mainstream subsequently to join the regular schools.

The State Project Director of Bihar Education Project Council issued detailed instructions to teachers, Block Elementary Education Officers and District Superintendents of Education in all the flood-affected districts with respect to schooling in the ost-flood scenario.

Besides, teaching and learning materials were provided to facilitate reintegration of teachers and children.

''Most of the elementary schools in the flood-affected districts in Bihar are now functioning normally. The main challenge ahead is improving the pupil attendance and completing the syllabus which was left incomplete due to closure of schools,'' Secretary of the state Human Resource Development department Anjani Kumar Singh said.

''Re-establishment of educational institutions after an emergency is not only the fundamental right of children but also normalises the environment for them. Schools can become safe havens for them during any emergency. UNICEF has provided tents, stationery, portable blackboards and teaching and learning charts for the ALSs, he added.

About three million children and teachers in 16,000 schools in the eight worst affected districts would also be imparted health education for better hygiene, nutrition and health.