S. Saraswathi, who passed 10th public examination on Friday, is likely to make a big leap on the academics front among women in her family when she joins Plus One in a Government school near here.
For the girl comes from a family of Kambalathu Naickers in Kammapatti near Rajapalayam, who do not send girl children to school after attaining puberty.
For records, she had already broken those shackles by remaining steadfast in continuing with her schooling when she attended age while studying in 8th standard – two years back. These people, belonging to most backward community, are basically involved in farming and rearing of cattle.
“She is the first girl in the community to go to school even after attaining puberty. Within few days after she made a revolution, another girl Selvi, who also attained age when in 9th class followed Saraswathi’s footsteps. But, she had to drop out after 10th,” recalled the Headmaster of Panchayat Union Elementary School in Kammapatti, V. Prakash.
Some 300 people of Kambalathu Naickers live in Kammapatti close to the school. “They live in big joint families. For instance, Saraswathi is part of a family with nearly 100 members. They have a common kitchen and live in six houses and mostly spend their days and nights outside the houses,” Mr. Prakash said.
The continuous efforts of the Headmaster in motivating girl children in the classroom made Saraswathi realise the importance of education for girls.
Besides, the Headmaster also has a sustained watch on his students’ education even after they leave elementary school for the Higher Secondary School in Chatrapatti.
Though allowed to pursue her academic dreams, it was not an easy path for Saraswathi to focus on her studies.
For, the girl had to wake up as early as 4.30 a.m. everyday and make her contribution to the family by washing all the vessels, with the help of two others. Other children are involved in daily chores like grazing of cattle or farming works.
With no bus facility to Kammapatti, the girl pedalled her way for 3 km up to R.R Nagar in Rajapalayam and then take a bus to school.
“I managed to juggle between by family duties and my education. I used to stay longer hours in the night to finish my study,” she said. She is now thrilled that she would be the first girl from the family to be admitted to class XI.
The family head and uncle of Saraswathi, M. Sivaraman, said that the family was now realising the importance of education to girl children.
“We find a lot of small girls going around the town in Rajapalayam with a lot of confidence. But, women in our community need to be accompanied by some men for their work outside the house. Hence, we are also changing with the times,” he said.
With the hope of pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor, Saraswathi is all set to once again start pedalling her bicycle towards her school.
She already has four more girls from her family, who have attained age, following her to the higher secondary school.
