The School Earthquake Safety Program (SESP) is one of the priority initiatives under the Kathmandu Valley Earthquake Risk Management Project (1997-2001). The program evolved from a simple school retrofit activity to a comprehensive program of earth-quake safety involving the whole community. This case study explains the rationale for focusing on schools and the comprehensive process of developing and implementing SESP in Kathmandu Valley including details of: a survey and vulnerability assessment of public school buildings through school headmasters; retrofitting and reconstruction of schools; local masons’ training on earthquake-resistant construction; a participatory community-based approach to earthquake mitigation; awareness raising and education on earthquake safety for teachers, school children and parents; empowerment of communities and general improvement of safety and livelihood; and institutionalizing SESP in local government.