Deen Islam, a night watchman at a boat landing, has been teaching children from impoverished families for free on his own initiative, helping them develop their skills in Bangla, English and mathematics.

For the past three years, he has continued his efforts without any institutional support or facilities, offering disadvantaged children an opportunity to learn despite their difficult circumstances, according to Somoy News.

Deen Islam lives in Shahidabad, a border village in Tahirpur upazila of Sunamganj. He guards boats at night and spends his days teaching children.

Every afternoon, children including Sweety Akter, Neha Akter, Rebeka Akter, Moni Begum, Jahedul Mia, Surbana Akter and Suraiya Akter gather near the banks of the Jadukata River. Sitting closely together on straw mats spread over sacks beside a makeshift shelter, they practise reading aloud in Bangla and English until late afternoon.

With no proper classroom, blackboard, chalk or duster, Deen Islam moves among the children as he teaches them. The worn-out clothes of both the teacher and his students reflect their circumstances, while his dedication keeps the lessons going.

Deen Islam completed his higher secondary education at Kaliakair Missionary School and College in Gazipur before moving to Tamil Nadu, India, to pursue higher studies. However, after his father died, financial difficulties forced him to return to Bangladesh without completing his education.

Although he could not fulfil his own educational ambitions, he wanted children from disadvantaged families in his community to have better opportunities to learn. That desire inspired him to start teaching them.

“I wanted to become a teacher after completing my education. Although I could not become a teacher at a formal institution, I find fulfilment in teaching underprivileged children,” Deen Islam said.

“My days are spent teaching children, while at night I guard boats at the landing.”

His wife, Rezia Akter, said her husband was deeply committed to his work despite having little in the way of material possessions.

“My husband is a man devoted to his work. He has no proper home or assets. He stays awake at night working as a guard and teaches children during the day. There are very few people like him,” she said.

Abdul Malek, a resident of Shahidabad village, said children from poor working families regularly attended Deen Islam’s free lessons.

“Children study with Deen Islam without paying anything. Although there is no proper learning environment, he teaches them with great sincerity,” he said.