HSC results: Night schools give wings to the dream of students

Sujata Chavan Dasu, now a 29-year-old, studied up to Class 10 but gave up further education and was married at the age of 17. Two years ago, she decided to take the plunge and complete her HSC-level studies, but with all the responsibilities at home, she chose a night school. A resident of Vadgaon Sheri, she would travel to and from her college in Somwar Peth while listening to the recordings she made of all her lectures in order to save time.

Sujata told The Indian Express, “My in-laws were unhappy that I attended school at night, but I kept fighting and attended all my classes. I used to stay awake till 2 am to study after finishing all the household chores.”

It was in college that she met with 33-year-old Manjula Mahadeo Kamble, who was pursuing her dream of further studies as a married woman and mother of a tenth grader, after having worked as a house-help. Both the women helped each other and often studied and supported each other. Manjula secured the second rank with 64.83%.

Both of them attribute their success mostly to the faculty and principal of their night school. Manjula said, “I have achieved this rank today only because of my teachers. I loved learning so much that I never felt like leaving it. On vacations, I feel restless.”

Sujata added, “Our accounts teacher took classes even on holidays, and our English teacher took monthly tests and provided individual guidance.”

Abasaheb Atre Night School and Junior College has a pass rate of 86.36%, with 19 out of the 22 students, all from the commerce stream, passing this year. Principal Vijay Suryawanshi, very happy with the results, said, “These students must work hard in different places all day to support their families. Afterwards, they come to school and cover the syllabus in only three hours. These are very hardworking and resilient students; even if they get 70%, it is big for us.”

Both the women have no plans of giving up studies anymore and hope to pursue a B Com degree now. Manjula wants to join a class to learn the software Tally and later pursue a job and Sujata has found a new passion for teaching students from marginalised sectors. “I was thrown out of the education system at a young age, and I understand its repercussions. So I do not want the same to happen to others, and I hope to raise awareness about the importance of education,” she said.

Other night schools like the Poona Night School have also brought life to several dreams with a pass rate of 97.5%, with 78 out of 80 students passing the HSC examinations this year. The students, all from the commerce stream, wrote the examination this year.

Kirve Komal Raju, who secured the second rank with 76.67%, used to work at a car showroom from 9am to 5pm. She also completed her tenth standard at the same school and secured the first rank in her school. She said, “I was very happy with the education and decided to continue here for my Class 12 as well. The school timings were flexible and allowed me to learn along with my busy schedule.”

Komal, who lost her mother last year and is living with her aunt said, “My mother was my biggest supporter. She left my abusive father and raised me alone in Pune. The school greatly helped me after her death, and I am very thankful for it.” Komal wants to pursue B Com and work in the finance sector in the future.

Bendal Prasanjit Sonu secured the first rank with 78.50%. “I used to work at a hotel in the morning. The school has been very helpful in providing us with a good education within the given time constraints,” said Prasanjit, whose native village is Chiplun. He said his family is very happy with the results, and he is happy with how the teachers taught him.