The situation with the school principal in the village of Khonok has drawn attention to small mountain schools.

In the Shamil district, there are ten small schools that need to be maintained, as children must receive an education. One of them is the school in the village of Khonok, where the principal, Khadijat Magomedova, has to walk 14 kilometers daily to teach three children. According to her, she did not ask for transportation; a representative from the education department stated that Magomedova was previously provided with a house in the village where the school is located.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", teacher Khadijat Magomedova has been walking 14 kilometers daily along mountain roads for nine years to teach children in the village of Khonok in the Shamil district. Residents of the republic, commenting on a video story about Magomedova on social media, called on the authorities to raise her salary and provide transportation.

Magomedova did not ask for transportation

Khadijat Magomedova told a correspondent from "Caucasian Knot" that there has never been a case when she was late or missed work due to bad weather.

"I have not approached anyone regarding providing me with transportation because I walk. I am happy that I have a job, I love it, and I go to it with pleasure," the teacher said.

Three primary school students, according to her, study in one room. In addition to her role as principal, she teaches Russian and other primary school subjects. Besides her, there are an English teacher, a cook, a boiler room worker, and a security guard at the educational institution. All subjects and classes can be conducted fully; all conditions for this are available, Magomedova noted.

There is no alternative to the primary school in the village of Khonok, where children study until the 4th grade.

"Otherwise, they would have to go to a school located in another village three kilometers away. These are small children; they have to get up early, and they cannot go on their own," says Khadijat Magomedova.

After completing primary classes, they will be able to study at the boarding school in the neighboring village until the weekends, so they do not have to travel daily for classes, she clarified.

The authorities of the district called the maintenance of small schools expensive

The head of the education department of the Shamil district Karim Budunov told a correspondent from "Caucasian Knot" that there are ten small schools operating in the district. Maintaining them is expensive, as sometimes only 3-4 children study there.

"We cannot close them; we must provide education for children," says Budunov.

He added that near Khonok is the village of Rugelda, where there is a boarding school, and after the 4th grade, students from the nearby small schools – there are only five – will transfer there for study with accommodation.

Few people live there, eight houses and a school

Regarding the possibility of providing Khadijat Magomedova with transportation for trips to school, Budunov stated that a house was provided for her to live in the village of Khonok.

"Few people live there, eight houses and a school. There are people who have moved to the city, and we previously provided Magomedova with a house with all amenities for living," Budunov reported.

Rural teachers receive a 15 percent bonus for working in mountainous areas; in regions located above 2,000 meters, the bonus is 20 percent, he clarified.

A lawyer pointed out bonuses for teachers in rural small schools

Lawyer Rustam Akhmedov told a correspondent from "Caucasian Knot" that the authorities do not have a direct obligation to provide a teacher with a car and driver. A school bus, according to SanPiN and the Federal Law "On Education in the Russian Federation," is intended for transporting children, not staff. There is a possibility of transportation for all employees if this is stipulated in the collective agreement or local act of the school. Compensation for using a personal vehicle may be provided if the employer and employee agree that the teacher uses their car for official purposes.

As the lawyer noted, a teacher in a rural small school may receive an increased salary, which is regulated by regional acts. They may also be provided with compensation for housing, heating, and lighting expenses – this is part of Federal Law No. 273-FZ.