ERWIN FONSECA
MAPUSA: As India celebrates its teachers this September, the spotlight turns to Eknath Kolhapuri, an 80-year-old retired educator from Verla-Canca in Bardez.
Originally hailing from Belagavi, Karnataka, Kolhapuri moved to Goa with his family and pursued his higher studies here, with a BEd from Nirmala Institute. His path to teaching was swift, with his qualifications landing him a position at Saraswat Vidyalaya, Mapusa. “Looking at my certificates, the then headmaster immediately absorbed me into the school. He said, ‘We welcome you to teach here,’ and from there, it was a journey that would create history,” he says.
Beginning his career in 1970, Kolhapuri started with a salary of Rs 280 per month, which, by the standards of the time, was substantial. “I remember a good breakfast at prominent hotels in Mapusa was just 50 paise, and a full meal was Rs 1.50,” he reminisces. “Sometimes, due to a busy schedule, I would eat out, rush back to school, and the food was cheap, yet of good quality.”
Over the years, he earned immense respect, particularly in teaching the challenging subjects of mathematics and science. Kolhapuri recalls how students who were struggling with maths, including those who scored zero marks, would often come to him for help, and many of them left with distinctions. “Parents would approach me, worried about their children’s performance in math. Some of these students had failed repeatedly, but after coming to me, they gained confidence and secured first-class marks in the SSC exam,” he says with pride.
Kolhapuri, who taught right up to 2020, says teaching was always more than just a job. “For me, teaching was a mission. I never taught for the salary. I can never forget my humble beginnings. Nowadays, teachers may earn hefty salaries, but it was not the case back then. I started my tuition classes in the late seventies and charged just Rs 5 per student,” he shares.
Despite his retirement, he continued tutoring students for years. “Math and science are vital subjects. Many of the students who came to me were from other schools, as I did not take in many students from my own school for tuitions. Tuitions were not a business for me—they were a way to give personal attention and ensure each student performed better.”
What sets Kolhapuri apart is not just his dedication, but his humility. “I never had any yearning for awards or publicity. For a teacher, the true reward is the excellence of the students and their establishment in a particular field. When these students come back and say ‘thank you,’ we feel we have been awarded,” he says.
Reflecting on the changing times, Kolhapuri expresses concern over the state of modern education. “Today, teachers have no value. Social media has become the teacher, and children are surrounded by gadgets and comforts. They are not serious about life or their goals. The need for education is less felt among the youth of today—they are distracted, virtues are lost, and teaching is no longer the same,” he says, pained by the shift.
During his years of service, Kolhapuri saw a different world—one where education, students, and teachers held a mutual respect for each other. “During my time, students, teachers, and studies were equally important. Today, teachers don’t command the same respect, and studies are not given that value,” he reflects.
His unique teaching style made a lasting impact on students. “Teaching was never boring for me. I built an equation with every student so they would develop a love for the subject. That’s why students who once scored zeros in math would later secure distinctions.”
Throughout his teaching life, Kolhapuri commuted on his two-wheeler, a modest means of transport that echoed his simplicity. It is only due to ill health in recent years that he now depends on his sons to take him around by car. “Back in the late seventies and eighties, students would come to school or tuition on bicycles or on foot. Parents then made their children work hard with minimal comforts, and as a result, those students are shining today.”
Kolhapuri hopes for a better future for education, though he admits that current trends concern him. “Teachers then were committed to their profession. Some of us treated students as our own children. There was no friction between parents and teachers because parents trusted us completely.”
In fact, his reputation spread so far that even politicians would approach him to tutor their children. “They didn’t trust anyone else at that time,” he recalls.
Now, in his quiet life at Verla, Kolhapuri reflects on his years of service with contentment. “I have taught hundreds of students, and many of them are doing well. There is no greater satisfaction for a teacher than this,” he says, his voice filled with quiet pride. “Teaching is a noble profession that cannot be compared to money. I only hope that today’s teachers remain dedicated to their work, ensuring that they guide students to establish themselves in life with dignity and respect.”