Against all odds, underprivileged students shine in SSLC examination

The Hindu

04-05-2025

In a remarkable display of grit and determination, 12 students from the underprivileged section of society who were nurtured at Kaliyuva Mane, which works with marginalised people, cleared the SSLC examination with flying colours.
Kaliyuva Mane is a residential alternative school in Mysuru and works on the philosophy of 'school for children' rather than 'children for school'. Students here are those who had dropped out of formal schools due to various life circumstances, such as emotional, domestic, and financial challenges.
Padma Anant, principal of Kaliyuva Mane, said the 12 students have defied odds that once threatened their academic future and among them is Kitdorlang Khongdup from Meghalaya, who scored an impressive 86.2%. Kitdorlang lost his parents and worked as a child labourer before finding a second chance at education through Kaliyuva Mane.
Similarly, C. Murali from Kumbalagodu, Bengaluru, faced a dire situation during the pandemic when his father, a lorry driver, lost his job. He had to drop out of school and remain at home as the family was in a dire financial situation. He was referred to Kaliyuva Mane in June 2020, and Murali secured 83.2%, thanks to timely support and his unwavering focus.
M.P. Rathan Kumar and D. Rohith come from families where education was once a luxury. Rathan Kumar scored 82.4%, and Rohit secured 72.16% despite coming from a vulnerable section of society. While Rathan's parents, both illiterate, work in low-income jobs, Rohith's family belongs to a BPL category in rural Mysuru.
K. Rushil from Mysuru has a similar background, and there was also a two-year gap in his education due to missing documents. While his family split apart, Rushil lived with his father who could not pay the fee, and the school refused to issue transfer certificate. On joining Kaliyuva Mane in 2022, he resumed his studies and scored 71.36%.
Girisha from Chinnakurali in Pandavpura taluk of Mandya district also faced difficulties during his formal schooling. He dropped out of school and joined Kaliyuva Mane in 2021, and he also secured 71.36% in the SSLC examination.
M. Divya Lakshmi from Mysuru, who faced domestic violence and the loss of her father, achieved 66%, while Tilak Gowda from the outskirts of Bengaluru scored 63.52%. Both battled financial instability and paternal neglect. Anamika Ghosh, from Meghalaya, who lost her mother at a very young age and did many household chores, dropped out of school. She was referred to Kaliyuva Mane by her relative in Bengaluru. Anamika relocated from Meghalaya to Mysuru, overcame cultural hurdles, learnt Kannada from scratch, and scored 59.84% within two years of joining Kaliyuva Mane in 2023.
Other students coming from a similar background and who cleared the SSLC examination are Michel, Y. Bhargav, and D. Bindushree. In a system where underprivileged children often fall through the cracks, these results serve as a beacon of hope, said Ms. Padma Ananth.