Chattogram: They cannot see the light themselves, but dedicated their lives to spread the light of education to others, proving that visual impairment is not a barrier to be effective and inspiring teachers.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Umme Tanjila Chowdhury Muniya, a popular teacher at Mohsena Government Primary School in Patiya upazila of Chattogram district, guides her students to sing songs and recite poems. Her students performed during the Victory Day celebration program. She also uses the internet on her laptop to collect sample materials for them. Her constant goal is to make learning more engaging for her students.
When Muniya first secured a teaching position after qualifying in the teachers' recruitment examination, school authorities questioned how a visually impaired teacher could teach students. Muniya is one of eight visually impaired teachers who have overcome barriers to establish themselves as respected educators among their students. While many teachers simply ask students to read a poem, Muniya recites it herself and sometimes performs it dramatically. In this way, she has demonstrated that visual impairment does not prevent her from teaching effectively.
In recognition of her dedication to education, she received different awards. Today, school authorities consult her first whenever any cultural programs are organized in the school. Muniya said she could not have achieved her success without the support of her colleagues. Muniya said among four sisters and one brother in her family, all four sisters are visually impaired. Muniya and her two sisters, Umme Habiba Chowdhury and Umme Salma Chowdhury, are teaching in primary and secondary schools, while another sister is looking for a job.
Doctors told the family that they became visually impaired due to genetic reasons as their parents are maternal cousins. Despite this, all four sisters completed higher education and have established their own sources of income. Umme Habiba Chowdhury, who earned honors and master's degrees in Law from the University of Chittagong, teaches at Patiya Shashanka Mala Government Primary School. Habiba said she decided not to pursue a career in the legal profession as lawyers sometimes have to argue in favor of clients even if they are guilty.
She also said that although she received an admit card for the primary teacher recruitment examination, she was initially prevented from sitting for the examination because many people raised questions about how a teacher without eye vision can teach students. However, she received the admit card and decided to appear in the examination. With support from many friends, she secured that right and later passed the examination. Among the eight teachers of the school, three are married. About getting married, Habiba said, "We want to have families. We want to raise our own children. But society still does not accept the persons with disabilities and the idea of leading a normal life by them."