Jhiarani belongs to a family of daily wage labourers. Educating her and her three siblings was a difficult task for her parents. Being the eldest, she would go to school and help her parents in collecting wood and doing household chores. She continued to remain a bright student and managed everything very well. In an unfortunate turn of events, she was diagnosed with leucoderma. Her health kept her at home most of the times. Her vision weakened and this made it more difficult for her to keep up. Her skin colour became a topic of discussion in school and the neighbourhood. Eventually, she dropped out of school in 8th grade.
When mobilizers from Pratham’s 'Second Chance' program approached her, she was a bit sceptical. Her mother was not very keen as they needed her to help at home. But Jhiarani wanted to study. After enrolling her in the batch of 2017-18, the next major task was to accommodate her in the class and pay attention to her special needs. In a matter of days the teachers, Jhiarani and other students learnt to mould the classes as per her need. She performed well in the foundation course and would put in all her efforts to stay abreast with everyone. The teachers gave her extra time to read text on the blackboard or a book. She participated in all the activities and discussions. There were times when she would miss classes due to her health. The teachers and students would visit her home and share their notes and worksheets for the day. Her parents understood her passion for education and provided her with enough time and a space in the house to study.
Jhiarani passed 10th Grade examination with 44%. This success brought a smile on her face and a sense of pride in her parents. She has applied for college admissions and is already attending free summer courses in a nearby coaching centre. She continues to fight with her diseases, but it is her self-motivation that pushes her ahead.
Jhiarani is one of the 304 candidates who appeared for the 10th-grade examinations from Pratham's Second Chance Program in Odisha. With 194 candidates passing the exams, the state's performance stands at 64%
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