Education news
Maharashtra: Teacher Walks Daily Through Forest to Teach Single Student in Remote Hamlet
· Source: Amar Ujala
A teacher named Mithari travels through a forest path frequented by wild animals to teach a lone third-grade student. He continues his daily routine as the nearest alternative school is an 11 km round trip away for young children.
Teacher Walks Through Forest for One Student
A teacher named Mithari is continuing his teaching duty by walking through a forest to reach a remote school where only one student is officially enrolled. The small village, formed by Kavaltek Dhangarwada and Anandur Dhangarwada, previously housed 70 to 100 families. Since the year 2000, migration towards Kolhapur city in search of employment reduced the village population and the number of school children.
Current Enrolment Details
This year, Mithari officially teaches only one student, Swara Bodake, who is in Class 3. Her younger sister, who is too young for formal education, also attends classes because there is no Anganwadi (government-run women and child care centre) in the village. She is expected to be admitted to Class 1 next year.
Wildlife Hazards on the Forest Route
The route to the school passes through a forest inhabited by wild animals such as gaur (wild bison) and leopards. Mithari has encountered gaur on the path, and villagers taught him how to react if the animal is alone or in a herd. A leopard once killed a young bull near the settlement, after which forest officials placed a trap camera that captured hundreds of images of the animal. Forest officials advised Mithari not to sit or stop along the way while commuting to and from the school.
Challenges and Alternative Options
An alternative school located in Dhundawade is not practical, as young children aged 6 to 9 would have to walk about 5.5 kilometres each way, resulting in an 11-kilometre daily journey that is particularly difficult during the monsoon. Villagers sustain themselves through small-scale farming, firewood collection, and gathering forest produce like jamun, karvanda, and other wild fruits, using double fences around fields to guard crops against frequent visits by gaur. Mithari, who is set to retire in May 2029, stated that a boundary wall for the school is essential for the safety of students.
Questions
Who is the student enrolled in the school?
The only officially enrolled student is Swara Bodake, who studies in Class 3.
Why does the younger sister attend the class?
She attends because there is no Anganwadi in the village, and she is expected to enrol in Class 1 next year.
How far is the nearest alternative school?
The nearest school in Dhundawade requires a round trip of about 11 kilometres (5.5 kilometres each way).
When is the teacher set to retire?
Teacher Mithari is scheduled to retire in May 2029.
Written in English by Disha Stars from the Amar Ujala report (read the original in Hindi). Check dates and links on the official website before you act.
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