A question about her achievement, posed to A. Banumathi, the State third rank holder in Nursing Course with Physics in the Class XII, elicited a mix of responses. More tears and a few words. For her, the success was possibly a means for a reunion with her father apart from being a stepping stone to a career in nursing.
“I want to serve society by being a good nurse. Helping those suffering from illness gives a sense of satisfaction,” says the student of General Cariappa Higher Secondary School, Saligramam.
Her father had abandoned her and the success had come in the midst of challenges faced by her mother. “This is a reward for my hard work. But this kind of success in education gives women self-confidence to face challenges in life,” she says.
A. Asina Begam, the second rank holder in Nursing Course with Physics from the same school, says that the blessings of her teachers and parents were contributors to her success.
M. Kiruthika, the second rank holder in Draftsman Civil, said she wants to become a civil engineer. “My parents are labourers. My achievement will give them new hope in life,” she says.
The three toppers in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Equipment in the State are also from the same school. R.K. Saravanan, the first rank holder in the State says: “I want to become a mechanical engineer. I want to make innovations in air-conditioning technology.”
His father is a private security guard. The second and third rank holders in the State are D. Vignesh and M. Kumaresan respectively.
“Most of the students in our school belong to families below the poverty line,” said M. Thirumani Vanitha, Principal of General Cariappa Higher Secondary School. Some NGOs are also supporting in educating the students, she said.
Other schools which secured ranks include Government Boys Higher Secondary School Chromepet, Government Service Home Girls Higher Secondary School Tambaram and Presidency Girls Higher Secondary School Egmore.
G. Vimal Kumar, R. Madasamy and M. Sammandamoorthy of Government Boys Higher Secondary School Chromepet secured the first three ranks in Lithographic Printing.
G.Renganayagi, Headmistress of Government Boys Higher Secondary School Chromepet, says: “Many poor students join such vocational courses as more job opportunities in MNCs are available for them after completion of Class XII. But the salary is only around Rs.5,000.”
V.Divyabharathi, V.Dhanalakshmi and R.Selvarani of Government Service Home Girls Higher Secondary School Tambaram have secured the first three ranks in Medical Laboratory Assistant with Chemistry.
K.Amudhavalli, K.Sumithra and K.Manimegalai of Presidency Girls Higher Secondary School Egmore have secured the first three ranks in Food Preservation with Zoology.
Susan Edward, Headmistress of Presidency Girls Higher Secondary School Egmore, says that a chunk of students do not opt for higher studies. They seek employment after Class XII.
