Balmukund Kurethi, a visually-challenged teacher in a government primary school in the village of Devpandum, Balod, has been transforming the lives of his pupils for over a decade. Despite his disability, the 37-year-old teacher has been using textbooks in braille provided by the school education department to deliver engaging and insightful lectures to his class of third and fourth-grade students. Balmukund’s dedication to his students has not gone unnoticed. The district collector, officers of the school education department, and his counterparts in other government schools have eulogized his exceptional teaching skills and unwavering commitment to imparting quality education.

Located in a secluded area amidst picturesque mountains, the school has a total of 16 students belonging to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community. Balmukund’s classroom buzzes with the chatter of eager young minds, who have been learning not only the subjects taught by their teacher but also the invaluable lessons of determination, empathy, and the strength of the human spirit. Balmukund’s teaching method involves delivering lectures from the braille textbooks and then asking questions to ensure that his students have understood the concepts. He clears all their doubts and then proceeds with the further chapters. Bhushan Kumar, a student in Balmukund’s class, commends his teacher’s communication skills and teaching style. He says, “Thanks to the wonderful communication skills of my teacher Balmukund sir, my concepts and doubts of subjects are clear. I have developed so much interest in my studies. His teaching technique never makes us feel that sir has some kind of disability.”

The headmaster of the school, LM Sahu, praises Balmukund’s efforts, saying that primary school teachers play a crucial role in the development of children, and Balmukund has been sincerely working in this direction. District school education department officials have also appreciated Balmukund’s endeavors, arranging braille textbooks for him to effectively teach his students. Block Resource Centre Coordinator (BRCC) S Sharma said, “We have specially arranged text books in braille script for Balmukund so that he could effectively teach his students Balmukund’s dedication to educating the next generation of tribal children in rural areas has made him an inspiration to everyone in the village. Through his devotion to education and the well-being of his students, he has become a symbol of hope for generations to come.”