A teacher in long wait for his students\' return

Hyderabad: There is not a single student in the 40-year-old government boys primary school at Tadbund now. Yet, a young teacher, K. Harinadh, dutifully comes to the school at 8.45 am, as usual, sits alone and waits for his students.

It takes 45 minutes for Harinadh to travel the 15 km from Jagatgirigutta, where he lives along with his family. He comes to teach his students, hoping that one day they will be back.

He teaches all subjects and gives physical training to his students if they turn up. He’s very much attached and keeps calling their parents, requesting them to educate their children and make them self-dependent.

Till August this year, the school had 40 students from the nearby slums. During the second Covid-19 wave, all the students along with their families left the city for their villages.

Two months ago, Harinadh’s co-teachers were transferred on probation to Risala Bazaar and Bowenpally respectively. Since then Harinadh is the only teacher at the school.

Harinadh says he comes to school daily to check the records and facilitate fresh admissions. “Sometimes, I clean the school premises, arrange the files and assist labourers to cut the grass around the school playground.

A native of Srikakulam district, Harinadh had done MSc followed by BEd from BR Ambedkar University some eight years ago. With his appointment as a teacher immediately thereafter, he along with his family shifted to city.