Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JM)

Mangaluru, Jul 1: Teaching is a noble profession that moulds the future of the country. Though there are teachers in every corner of the country, very few have the god-given gift of teaching in a way that leaves a life-long impression in a student's life. While it is a profession to many, teaching is a passion to some.

While many government school teachers get high pay scales ranging between Rs 20,000 to Rs 60,000 per month depending on their level of qualification and experience, there are a handful of school teachers surviving on a pittance. Ananth Bhat, a mathematics teachers, is one among them.

Bhat has rendered 34 years of service at a government school at Maruvai in Manila of Bantwal taluk, Dakshina Kannada district. The 60-year-old draws a salary less than Rs 8,000 which is a lot less than any other government teacher with an experience of teaching for more than three decades.

Technical Flaw - The Culprit

Bhat, who has rendered selfless service as a teacher and shaped the future of thousands of students from the village, retired on June 30. While every other government teacher enjoy retirement benefits as per law, Bhat will have nothing in his bank account.

It is a surprising fact that with an experience of 34 years, Bhat drew a salary of just Rs 7,708 with no other allowances. Thanks to a technical flaw in the board which has not recognised his B Ed degree, due to which he lost all the benefits he had to receive as any other fellow teachers of the state.

Passion for Teaching

All these financial deficiencies, never affected the passion of Bhat towards teaching. He works in the fields in the early hours of the day and also takes up extra tuitions for the students.

The school which started on August 14, 1983 was looking for a suitable teacher. Bhat took up the challenge and used to walk 3kms to teach the children. "I never expected renumeration in my 34-year service. All I wanted was love and respect from my students," he said.

"Initially, I was appointed on contract as a teacher with a salary of Rs 100 per month. For me it is not the money that matters, but the desire to serve selflessly. Though my service was made permanent after I completed my B Ed from Maithily University of Bihar, I was let go because the university had no recognition. Later, I continued as a honorary teacher till I won a legal battle in 1995," he added.

He also made a mention of the fact that other high school teachers of government schools with more than 30 years of experience get an average salary of Rs 60,00 per month.

"I have no regrets. I taught mathematics as the main subject along with Kannada, Hindi and vocational training to teachers. I get happiness in working on my areca nut farm and looking after cows in the shed before reaching school," he said.

While many teachers who are in a similar state look miffed, Bhat is happy for the bonding that he has with a large number of students.

Video