The inner light

OCT 19 - Nothing is impossible for a person who has courage, confidence and zeal for work. Three blind teachers of Dharan have proved this statement to its fullest. Though they are unable to see the world, they have been providing the inner light of education to many  students with normal sight.

Sagar Subba, 41, has been teaching at Shahid Smriti Secondary School, Dharan since 1995. He teaches Social Science to students of classes 4 and 5. He lost his eyesight at the age of seven when he suffered from measles. He passed SLC from Saraswoti Secondary School, Hangpang, Taplejung in 1992 after finishing basic education at Purwanchal Gyanchakshu Vidhyalaya in Dharan.


Subba returned to Dharan against his parents’ wishes started giving private tuition for his livelihood. Soon, he was appointed as a teacher by the District Education Office, Sunsari in 1995. He can easily walk to school and back home without any assistance. His colleagues are often surprised at his ability to recognise all his students by their names and voices.


Another outstanding person is Bir Bahadur Rai, 39, who has been teaching Nepali, “Mero Serophero” (My Surroundings) and “Srijanatmak Tathaa Abhibyaktikala” (Recreational and Expression Arts) to primary students at Bhanu Smriti Secondary School, Dharan since 1994. He got permanent appointment in the school in 2006. He passed SLC from Shikshya Sadan Secondary School, Dharan in the second division in 1990. He completed IA majoring in Nepali from Mahendra Multiple Campus, Dharan. He lost his eyesight at the age of five when he suffered from night-blindness and his parents delayed his treatment.


Similarly, Lila Ram Subba, 33, is another enthusiastic primary teacher who has been working at Niketan Higher Secondary School, Dharan since 2008. He teaches Nepali, Social Studies and Environment Education to classes 4 and 5.


As these sightless teachers cannot see like their colleagues, they mostly have to depend on the lecture method of teaching in class. They say it is very difficult for them to use teaching materials like the blackboard, charts and graphs. So, they mostly take the help of Braille books and notes which they prepare themselves.


Subba has somebody read the textbook to him and he memorises the lesson along with the page numbers before entering the classroom. Rai prepares his own notes in Braille. However, the constant scarcity of Braille books, paper and press has affected them very much.


Besides teaching, the teachers have various other talents. Lila Ram sings and plays the guitar, keyboard, harmonium and drums at musical concerts. Bir Bahadur also sings and plays the flute, the sarangi and the guitar. He earns extra money by making handicraft products like bamboo stools and sticks for ice lollies. He also helps his family members by doing household chores.


These teachers complain that the government has not managed proper teaching materials specifically designed for their use. They have also requested the government to provide sufficient quantities of Braille paper and press.