Monirjhil is a small village in Ramu. Located in Kawarkhop union of Ramu upazila, the village is surrounded on three sides by the fast-flowing Bakkhali River. The river swells during the monsoon and remains strong even in the dry season, making it a longstanding barrier to travel for the villagers.
The village has no secondary school. Students also lack access to the private tutors commonly available in other villages. Every day, they have to leave home early, carrying their books and crossing the Bakkhali by boat or wading through knee-deep water to attend school in a neighbouring village.
Their journey is not simply a difficult commute through mud and water. At times, it means taking considerable risks to keep their education going.
Yet these hardships and the lack of educational facilities seem to have strengthened Monirjhil’s children’s determination. Despite the challenges, four villagers have passed the Bangladesh Civil Service examination and joined the BCS cadre.
Locals say their success demonstrates that limited opportunities and facilities cannot hold back talent and determination.
The four BCS cadres from Monirjhil are Mohammad Kasem, son of Abdur Razzak of Ward 1; Taslimun Nessa, daughter of Monir Ahmed of the same ward; Jasim Uddin, son of Sultan Ahmed of Ward 3; and Mizanur Rahman, son of Tayeb Uddin Siraj of Ward 2.
Kasem passed the 28th BCS examination and joined the education cadre, securing second place in the merit list. He studied at Chittagong College.
Taslimun Nessa passed the 34th BCS examination and joined the administration cadre. She studied at the University of Dhaka.
Jasim Uddin passed the 33rd BCS examination and joined the food cadre. He studied at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
Mizanur Rahman passed the 38th BCS examination and joined the education cadre. He studied at the University of Chittagong.
Saker Ahmed, a relative of Mohammad Kasem, said Kasem had to continue his studies amid many difficulties from an early age.
“Going to school after crossing the river was not easy for him. His own efforts and his family’s support have brought him to where he is today. That is our greatest source of pride,” he said.
Riduan Mostafa, a relative of Taslimun, said educational opportunities in Monirjhil were limited, but she never gave up.
“Her becoming a BCS cadre after overcoming so many obstacles is a matter of pride for the entire village. Now we want future generations to have access to education without having to cross the river,” he said.
Local social leader Aktar Uddin Sikdar said hundreds of students have to cross the Bakkhali River every day to attend educational institutions in neighbouring villages because Monirjhil has no secondary school.
“The journey becomes even more dangerous during the monsoon when the water level and current increase. Despite these difficulties, students have to continue their education through their own efforts and with support from their families,” he said.
Local residents say they are proud that four people from Monirjhil have become BCS cadres. They say their success has become a major source of inspiration for the village’s younger generation.
At the same time, they believe permanent infrastructure is needed to retain talented students and provide better educational opportunities for future generations.
Residents have demanded a secondary school in Monirjhil and a bridge over the Bakkhali River. They say such infrastructure would end the risks students face while crossing the river and improve communication for the entire village.
The four BCS cadres from Monirjhil also support the demand. They, too, reportedly dream of seeing a bridge over the Bakkhali River one day—one that could open up greater opportunities for the village’s next generation and help turn their aspirations into reality.
By Tarekur Rahman
Photo: Courtesy
