“I want to become an astronaut and explore the planets,” says 12-year-old S. Ajith. The Class VI student of the Ebenazer Jaganath Marcus Matriculation Higher Secondary School (EJMMHSS) in Ambattur, clad in his uniform, tie hugging the collar, converses in English to convey his passion for astronomy after watching a Discovery Channel programme on space science. Ajith belongs to the nomadic Narikurava community and lives in Jaya Nagar near Thirumullaivoyil in Chennai.
“We started the programme in 2005 when the Evangelical Church of India (ECI) approached us because other schools in the neighbourhood refused to admit Narikurava children,” said Edith Ratnakumari, Principal of EJMMHSS, which has over 25 children from the community in different classes.
Narikuravas are a nomadic community who eke out a living by hunting small animals and selling beads, bangles and baubles.
According to one historical account, they were once a part of the Maratha king Shivaji’s army, and migrated to other areas following the Muslim conquest.
Being nomadic, they move from place to place, with their children losing out on a formal education. Poverty, lack of safe housing and early marriage are other factors that impede their development.
With support, the children have been a quick study. Nayanthara, a Class I student with a big scar on her right hand, the result of treatment for jaundice, is keen on becoming a Collector.
“I want to give my parents a lot of money,” she says. Surya, a huge fan of Tamil films, who calls himself ‘I. Surya’, believes that only the hero of a film can solve the problems of society.
Stella, a Class III student, wants to be a singer. As they chat animatedly, the school breaks for lunch and the children stand up to say a prayer, also in English.
After-school care
Besides providing the children breakfast, lunch and dinner, the school has also rented a separate building, so that they may stay till 8 p.m.
“The school bus picks them up in the morning and drops them back in the night. Even after school hours, we provide lessons to boost their education,” explains Vinolia Marcus, EJMMHSS’ Administrative Officer.
The initiative appears to be succeeding. Indicative of the power of education is the confidence of the children, their clearly thought out ambitions, and their ability to converse in English, a language nearly alien to them till they joined the school.
Guna, studying in Class VII, wants to join the police force to earn a good name for his parents, while Sonia, a Class IX student, dreams of becoming a doctor.
The environment of their homes could, however, remain a deterrent in the long run, the teachers fear.
