Balrampur (Chhattisgarh), September 19: For two teachers in Chhattisgarh’s Balrampur district, reaching their school during the monsoon is a daily test of determination. Despite swollen rivers and difficult terrain, the teachers trek several kilometres on foot to ensure students in a remote, rain-cut-off village do not miss out on their education.
Teachers Sandhya Haldar and Karmila Toppo are posted at a school in Dhaurpur hamlet of Wadrafnagar block, located beyond the confluence of the Moran and Iriya rivers. During the rainy season, the area becomes virtually inaccessible by road, leaving the teachers with no option but to cross the river on foot.
Toppo, who has been posted at the school since 2014, undertakes the difficult journey while carrying her nine-month-old daughter in her arms. The water level at times rises from waist to stomach height, making the crossing particularly challenging.
Their journey begins at Marna, the last point accessible by scooter. From there, the teachers walk nearly three kilometres through rocky and hilly terrain before reaching the river and crossing it to get to the school.
“We park our scooters at Marna, and the route is entirely hilly. We walk three kilometres, cross the river, and then reach the school,” Haldar told ANI.
However, the teachers said they are forced to turn back whenever the river becomes too dangerous.
“On days when the water level is low, we manage to make it across; but when the water is very high, we have to turn back right from the river,” Haldar said.
Despite the difficult journey, the teachers say the joy of their students makes the effort worthwhile.
“The children are so small. We worry a great deal about them, feeling bad that we can't reach them or provide them with an education. The children get so happy when they see us,” Haldar said.
Toppo said such challenges return every monsoon and that teachers are often advised not to attempt the crossing when the water level rises.
“It happens like this every year during the rainy season. We are advised against it and told not to go if the water level is high,” she said.
Their dedication eventually came to the attention of Balrampur Collector Chandan Sanjay Tripathi through media reports.
“I learned through ANI about a teacher in our district who, carrying her young child, crosses a river and walks three kilometres, even during the rainy season, to reach her school,” Tripathi said.
Praising Toppo’s commitment, the Collector said her dedication set an example for other teachers in the district.
“Through her immense sincerity and hard work, she has set a truly praiseworthy example for other teachers in the district. I deeply respect educators who are so dedicated to their duties; such teachers are rare indeed. Honouring a teacher like her is a matter of pride and honour for the entire district,” Tripathi said.
The teachers’ daily journey highlights the challenges faced by educators and students in remote areas during the monsoon, where difficult terrain and swollen rivers can disrupt access to education.
