Going back to learning

Going back to the classroom after 21 years is a feat in itself. 38-year old Manjula Bariya set a classic example for all those who feel they are too old to study.

Manjula is an Anganwadi (rural mother and child care centre in India) worker in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh. She dropped out of school in 8^th Grade to help support her family financially. During one of Pratham’s mobilization drives Manjula thought of enrolling herself for 10^th Grade examination.

She continued with her job and attended classes regularly. With a demanding schedule, she found it difficult to cope with basic concepts and the foundation course. She stopped attending lectures. She was pursued by Pratham and motivated to attempt the preliminary test. She scored well in this test which helped boost her confidence level.

With the positive approach she sailed through the rest of the year. She would work in the morning and walk every day to the centre to attend classes later in the day. She received a lot of support from her family as well. She attempted 10^th Grade examination through National Institute of Open Schooling in Madhya Pradesh and scored 61.3%.

Manjula feels that the Life Skills part of the Second Chance program helped in the overall development of her personality along with improving her approach to various aspects of life. She is currently preparing for 12^th Grade examination and hopes to continue studying further.

Today she can stand witness to the respect one earn

s with education in the society. She motivated and enrolled her daughter and sister-in-law with the Second Chance program and helps them with the preparation. She encourages other women in the village to enroll as well.