Barishal Correspondent //

In the courtyard of a temple stands a simple tin-roofed structure—devoid of modern classrooms, chairs, tables, benches, or salaried teachers. Yet, within these humble confines, an elderly man continues to spread the light of knowledge. Though his body is stooped with age, his passion for teaching remains undiminished. For six decades, Ramani Kanta Bepari of Rangta village in Rajihar Union, Agailjhara Upazila, Barishal, has been educating village children free of charge. Finally, the government has recognized this noble contribution to the field of education.

A special event was held on Sunday afternoon (October 4) at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka to mark World Teachers’ Day. At the ceremony, the Prime Minister presented a medal, a certificate of honor, and a cheque for two lakh Taka to teacher Ramani Kanta Bepari.

To the locals, Ramani Kanta Bepari is not merely a teacher; he is the beloved “Ramani Sir.” Three generations of the remote village of Rangta received their early education from him. He is widely known as “Ramani Sir” to people of all ages, from young children to adults.

Ramani Kanta began teaching underprivileged local children while he was still a school student himself. That early initiative to teach others alongside his own studies never ceased, even as he crossed the age of seventy. Although the education system and the village’s standard of living have evolved over time, the cheerful chatter of young children can still be heard daily in this small schoolhouse in Rangta village.

After passing his Matriculation (SSC) exams from Chandshi Ishwar Chandra Secondary School in 1973, Ramani Kanta enrolled at Government Gournadi College; however, financial constraints within his family prevented him from completing his higher secondary education. Despite being a meritorious student and having the opportunity to secure a job at a primary school, he declined the offer. Driven by his affection and love for the village children, he chose to focus on his humble schoolhouse rather than pursuing formal employment. The courtyard of the Rangta Sarbajanin Durga Temple, located beside the Rajihar-Chandshi road, has become his classroom. Locals know it as ‘Ramani Kanta’s Pathshala’ (school). Classes for children are held daily—except on Fridays—from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. There is no fixed monthly tuition fee at Ramani Kanta’s school; his goal is to ensure that children from poor village families are not deprived of education due to a lack of money.

Ramani Kanta leads a very simple personal life. He lives with his wife, Rumpa Bepari, in a modest tin-roofed house. His only son, Tapas Bepari, works at a private firm. He owns a small amount of agricultural land. Despite financial hardships, he considers the joy of teaching children to be the greatest achievement of his life.
Reflecting on the honor he received, Ramani Kanta said, “I have been teaching local children here since before independence. As long as I live, I want to continue spreading education among children in this way. The honor bestowed upon me by Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has made my life as a teacher truly meaningful. I wish to spend the rest of my life educating children right here in the temple courtyard.”

Agailjhara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Nirupam Majumdar said, “I was deeply impressed by the teaching methods used at Ramani Kanta’s school. Our country is so beautiful precisely because there are good people like him in society.”
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