These Odisha teachers risk their lives daily to teach students

Malkangiri: At a time when there are instances of teachers neglecting their duties in some of the remote areas of the State, two teachers in Malkangiri district have led the way through their dedication towards work.

Braving all the odds and strong water current of Saptadhara river, Marianus Tete, headmaster of Gojiaguda Primary School, and Tapan Kumar Paikaray, Assistant Teacher of the school ensure that students get education every day. They wade through waist deep water of the river from Khairaput side to Gojiaguda where the school is located.

In rainy days, even things get worse with an increase in water level. Both the teachers swim to the other side of the river, Gojiaguda to reach the school.

“I don’t like neglecting my duty. The government is paying us salary. This apart, my sole purpose is to impart teaching to my students and educate them,” said Tete.

Expressing similar views, Paikaray said, “We would not have crossed the river in such dangerous state had there been a bridge. The State government has started work on a bridge two years back, but it is yet to be completed.”

The sincerity of the duo has drawn praises from all quarters in the area. Locals also demanded that the State government must ensure that the bridge work gets done at the earliest.