Kerala teacher works in remote Arunachal Pradesh village near China border
Ali Ashqar teaches at a school in Shi-Yomi district despite challenges like landslides and limited electricity.
Ali Ashqar, a 28-year-old teacher from Areekode in Kerala's Malappuram district, is teaching at NSCBAV School in Karo, a remote village in Arunachal Pradesh's Shi-Yomi district. According to the Times of India, the school is located near the India-China border and currently has 102 pupils.
Ashqar moved to the region after studying for his M.Ed. at a university in Shi-Yomi between 2022 and 2024. He joined the school through an NGO. Earlier reports indicated the institution faced potential closure due to student dropouts and a lack of hostel facilities, but it now has 102 students.
The teacher faces daily difficulties including landslides, poor roads, unreliable electricity, and limited internet connectivity. Ashqar said that because the village is approximately 200 km from the nearest city, journeys can take almost eight hours due to road conditions.
Ashqar's work involves classroom teaching, teacher training, and engaging with parents and the local community. He recently gained attention after videos of students celebrating Onam went viral online.
He explained that he organised the Onam festivities to help children understand the spirit of different traditions coming together. Ashqar expressed a desire to improve learning resources for the students, including the installation of smartboards and the creation of a modern smart classroom.
