The Wider Image: Russian village's last teacher stays on for her one remaining pupil
Ravil Izhmukhametov, 9, and teacher Uminur Kuchukova, 61, attend the ceremony on the first day of the new school year next to a WWII monument in the village of Sibilyakovo, Omsk region, Russia, September 2, 2019. Kuchukova has taught at the school for 42 years. She could have retired years ago, but continues to teach at once bustling school for the sake of its last pupil. When she leaves next year, the school will close. She thinks Izhmukhametov will be old enough to travel to the neighbouring village for lessons. "I feel sorry for him. His parents don't want to leave (Sibilyakovo) yet and it's scary to send a little boy like him over the Irtysh, there are such big waves," she said. REUTERS/Alexey Malgavko SEARCH "SIBILYAKOVO MALGAVKO" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.