Despite passing all the tests by the Education Service Commission, Durga Bomjan had to face hurdles to teach at the school designated to him. The reason is that the school administration had prevented him from registering his name in the roster of teachers because he is polio-stricken and has to use a wheelchair to get around.

But 24 days since his appointment, Bomjan has made a breakthrough. He has started teaching the students of grades three, four, five and six at the Chitwan Secondary School in Bharatpur.

The breakthrough came due to the efforts of various organisations and the department of education at Bharatpur Metropolitan City.

But the principal of the school, Mukti Lamichhane, said that the school never questioned Bomjan’s ability to teach.

“The infrastructure of the school is not disabled-friendly,” he said. “It would be difficult for Bomjan sir to navigate the school; hence the management had to hold his registration for a few days.”

The school’s staff office is at the third storey, but now an arrangement has been made to allow Bomjan to register his attendance at the ground floor. Likewise, other makeshift infrastructures have been arranged so that Bomjan can attend his classes, Lamichhane said.

Despite the school’s reservation, Bomjan has been attending the school since November 17, the day he received his appointment letter.

After he was barred from registering his attendance, Bomjan had filed a complaint with the City Education Department.

Thirty-one-year-old Bomjan was born in Parsa. He was diagnosed with polio when he was nine, after which his parents migrated to Bharatpur for his treatment. His mother works as office help at Narayani Secondary School, where Bomjan completed his secondary education before pursuing intermediate level studies majoring in English literature.

Bomjan said that he is excited about the new prospect, despite the fact that the school doesn’t have disabled-friendly infrastructures.

“I am happy to teach the students, and they seem to enjoy my classes as well,” he said. “I am excited about the opportunity. Hopefully, the school will upgrade its infrastructures soon.”