An outreach session organised under the 'Coffee with DM' initiative in Bageshwar highlighted the educational challenges faced by students in Uttarakhand's hill districts, where many continue to excel despite poor infrastructure, financial hardship and limited access to guidance.
Student Interactions
Top 10 block-level performers, most of them girls from remote villages, interacted with District Magistrate Akanksha Konde during the session. Students spoke about walking several kilometres daily to attend classes, balancing household responsibilities with studies and coping with poor road connectivity, especially during the monsoon.
'Lack of resources and guidance is a constant challenge in the hills, but students are still performing well through self-study,' said Neha Joshi, who aspires to pursue medicine.
Another student, Vidya Papola, said financial constraints and family responsibilities often make studies difficult. 'It hasn't been easy, but consistent effort and time management helped me score well. We need clearer guidance for higher education,' she said.
Karishma Arya, who travels long distances daily for school, said, 'Students can achieve much more with better infrastructure and guidance.'
Parental Concerns
A parent, Draupadi Devi from Kapkot's Dobad area, said children in her village miss school for up to two months during the monsoon. DM Konde said, 'Students must adopt disciplined study habits and begin career preparation early amid rising competition.' She assured timely information on entrance exams.
Lack of Awareness
The session also exposed gaps in awareness about higher education opportunities. Despite securing high marks in adverse conditions, many students lacked basic awareness about higher education pathways. Notably, none of the participants were aware of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET).
Experts said the situation reflects a serious lack of mentorship and information for talented students in remote areas.
