Mumbai, September 18: In a remarkable display of dedication, 55-year-old teacher Jivan Mithari walks five kilometers daily through dense forests and rugged paths to teach at a remote school in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district. His commitment is particularly noteworthy as he currently teaches only one student, Swara, at the Kavlatek Dhangarwada District Council School, where he has been teaching for the past 13 years.
Mithari first joined the school on July 26, 2013, when the student population was significantly higher, with around 70-100 families residing in the area. However, many families have moved to urban areas in search of better employment and facilities, leading to a drastic decline in student numbers. Currently, Swara is the only official student, although her younger sister accompanies her to school, as there is no Anganwadi center in the village.
The journey to school is fraught with challenges, including the presence of wildlife. Mithari recalls an incident where a leopard killed a calf near the village, prompting forest officials to install trap cameras that captured numerous images of the animal. They advised Mithari to avoid stopping or sitting along the way for safety.
Mithari, who previously served as the president of the Kolhapur District Primary Teachers Cooperative Bank, took on the challenge of teaching in this remote area after facing criticism that influential teachers are often assigned to more accessible locations. He transferred to this village to prove that dedication to education can thrive in even the most difficult circumstances.
The nearest alternative school is approximately 5.5 kilometers away, making it a daunting task for children to attend regularly, especially during the monsoon season. The local community relies on small farming and gathering forest products, making the school a vital resource for the children’s education.
As Mithari approaches retirement in May 2029, he hopes to see the construction of a boundary wall around the school premises to ensure the safety of the students.