Nisha Shukla and Preeti Shukla are sisters, and both live in Indore. Their story is one of the most unique stories of Pratham's Second Chance Program. No, they did not give their 10th-grade examination together. Neither were they in the same batch and hence they did not study together. But today both work and are happy that they could get back to studies because of the program, a thing they had not imagined some years ago!
Preeti had studied till 9th-grade, but became ill and owing to health issues did not complete her 10th-grade. She lost interest, and for the next three years, she was away from studies. However, a friend told her about the Second Chance and to quote her, 'it appeared interesting.' She sensed that there was a chance to complete education till 10th-grade and hence acquire the primary degree to be eligible for certain job opportunities. Preeti confesses that learning in a group made her understand many things and she still recalls those discussions with her friends. She further admits that such a discussion made her bold and confident and she passed her 10th-grade examination in 2016. "English and Math were my favourite subjects, and I also liked the activity of painting", she says. The one year spent at the centre was so transforming for Preeti that she overcame her initial shyness, and went on to complete a computer course from ITI (Industrial Training Institute) and also completed a course in beauty techniques.
Preeti's elder sister Nisha was observing the former's journey. She was a housewife. As she watched Preeti, she recalled that she also had not completed her 10th-grade and had got married in some years after leaving school. All these years she had lost hope, but Preeti's journey made her renew it afresh! After many sessions thinking about it, Nisha too decided to take the plunge and enrolled herself for the Second Chance program. "I had lost touch, and the teachers here taught me as if I was a primary school student. Such was their dedication and patience", she says. This was one year after Preeti passed her 10th-grade. Nisha's initial goal was to pass 10th-grade and then secure a job. However, she got a job immediately after passing the exam, and this was in 2017. "I am now planning to study till 12th-grade, but time is a constraint", she admits with a smile.
The sisters are happy that they could share their story with us. As we drink tea prepared by their mother, Preeti says, "I really thank the Second Chance program for this turnaround in life." Nisha says the same thing but also adds a few more words. "I really thank the Second Chance Program. And I also thank my sister for inspiring me to achieve this."
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| Preeti Shukla (left) and Nisha Shukla. |
Preeti had studied till 9th-grade, but became ill and owing to health issues did not complete her 10th-grade. She lost interest, and for the next three years, she was away from studies. However, a friend told her about the Second Chance and to quote her, 'it appeared interesting.' She sensed that there was a chance to complete education till 10th-grade and hence acquire the primary degree to be eligible for certain job opportunities. Preeti confesses that learning in a group made her understand many things and she still recalls those discussions with her friends. She further admits that such a discussion made her bold and confident and she passed her 10th-grade examination in 2016. "English and Math were my favourite subjects, and I also liked the activity of painting", she says. The one year spent at the centre was so transforming for Preeti that she overcame her initial shyness, and went on to complete a computer course from ITI (Industrial Training Institute) and also completed a course in beauty techniques.
Preeti's elder sister Nisha was observing the former's journey. She was a housewife. As she watched Preeti, she recalled that she also had not completed her 10th-grade and had got married in some years after leaving school. All these years she had lost hope, but Preeti's journey made her renew it afresh! After many sessions thinking about it, Nisha too decided to take the plunge and enrolled herself for the Second Chance program. "I had lost touch, and the teachers here taught me as if I was a primary school student. Such was their dedication and patience", she says. This was one year after Preeti passed her 10th-grade. Nisha's initial goal was to pass 10th-grade and then secure a job. However, she got a job immediately after passing the exam, and this was in 2017. "I am now planning to study till 12th-grade, but time is a constraint", she admits with a smile.
The sisters are happy that they could share their story with us. As we drink tea prepared by their mother, Preeti says, "I really thank the Second Chance program for this turnaround in life." Nisha says the same thing but also adds a few more words. "I really thank the Second Chance Program. And I also thank my sister for inspiring me to achieve this."
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