Despite The Pandemic and Financial Constraints, This Young Girl Completed Her Education

Adolescence is a critical period of growth, marked by physical, mental, and emotional changes. This time is especially crucial for girls because important decisions regarding their lives are made. Parents determine the continuation or termination of education, discuss the possible entry into labour markets, or prospects for marriage.

Women and girls from rural areas and poor households face additional challenges for completing education. It involves socio-economic factors, cultural factors and gender stereotypes. Hence, this group constitutes a vulnerable section of the population that requires greater support.

Meet eight-year-old Anushka joined the Bharat e-Shiksha DLC at Ramtekdi, Pune, Maharashtra in February 2021. A student of class 6, Anushka resides in a joint family which includes her mother, father, paternal grandparents, among others. While her father works in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation as a sweeper, her mother and grandmother are domestic helpers, and her grandfather is a daily wage labourer. The financial conditions of their family were decent before the pandemic. However, it worsened during the lockdown.

Education shifted to the online mode, and Anushka required digital devices and a stable internet connection to study. Inadequate resources led to mounting anxiety around learning. The education of this little girl came to a halt.

While navigating her way to continue education, she enrolled at the Digital Learning Center at Ramtekdi. Here, she was able to continue with her education and actively participate in group activities.

Anushka says that she was extremely thrilled to have access to a tablet. It not only contributed towards the completion of her education but also helped to enhance her knowledge and understand concepts with ease. She also interacted with other students and made good friends with a few other children at the centre.

Today, she firmly states that #Bharateshkisha has changed her life as well as others like her. In the future, Anushka aspires to be a doctor and bring a positive impact to society.