Teachers’ Day: Risking deep waters to keep lessons afloat

Nabarangpur: For most teachers, reaching school is a routine part of the job. But for two teachers in Nabarangpur district, it involves a daily journey fraught with risk across the vast waters of the Indravati reservoir in a country boat, followed by long walks to reach their students.

Every morning around 7am, teachers Rotiot Harijan and Ajit Kumar Khura set out on a journey that takes about one and a half hours by boat and several kilometres on foot. The two have purchased the country boat with their own money and take turns rowing it across the reservoir before walking to their respective schools. Harijan teaches at Tanginicot Government Primary School. He lives at Bangalaguda near Indravati in Tentulikhunti block and crosses the reservoir to reach Gurumaiguda before walking another 7 km to his school.

The school has 42 students. Despite the arduous journey, Harijan has remained regular so that his students’ education is not affected. The district administration honoured him on Independence Day for his dedication. Khura, who lives at Kenduguda near Indravati, teaches at Guru maiguda Government Primary School, which has more than 50 students. He also leaves home around 7am and crosses the reservoir with Harijan before walking about 4 km to reach the school. “After crossing the reservoir by boat, we walk several kilometres before reaching the school. Only then does the day’s teaching begin,” Khura said. The journey is fraught with risks. Bad weather and rising water levels can make the boat trip dangerous, while even a moment’s carelessness could have serious consequences. Yet the teachers continue to make the journey because they know their absence could disrupt the education of children in the remote area. Their dedication has drawn praise from the local community. Babula Nayak said the experience of the two teachers reflects the difficulties of taking education to remote areas and called for a safer mode of transport for them.

Nabarangpur District Education Officer Chhatrapati Sahu said the administration was proud of the two teachers. He said their commitment should serve as an example for other teachers who face challenges in reaching remote schools. The dedication, however, raises a larger question: why should teachers have to risk their lives every day simply to reach their classrooms? A safe transport arrangement for teachers crossing the reservoir remains a pressing need.