In UP's Nizampur, One Teen's Class 10 Score Breaks Generations Of Illiteracy
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With no electricity and only a shed to study in, a Dalit teen from Barabanki became the first in his village to pass the Class 10 board exam, inspiring others to follow
Nizampur, a small village in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki district, located a 35-minute ride from Lucknow, has witnessed many changes over the years. However, this one is being described as historic — for the first time ever, a student has successfully passed the Class 10 board examination. That student is 15-year-old Ramsevak, a Dalit boy whose modest score of 55 per cent has sent ripples of hope and transformation through a village long untouched by educational achievement.
On Monday, the District Magistrate of Barabanki felicitated Ramsevak for breaking barriers and becoming the first person in the village to pass the board examinations.
Nizampur, a hamlet of around 30 households and 250–300 residents, falls under the Bani Kodar block in Ramsanehighat tehsil and is part of the Ahmedpur gram panchayat. Predominantly inhabited by families from Dalit communities, the village's economy rests entirely on daily-wage labour, with most adults working in nearby towns or migrating seasonally for employment.
Education has historically taken a back seat in this marginalised community. Until this year, not a single student from the village had successfully cleared the high school board exams. That changed in 2025 when Ramsevak — also known in official records as Ramkeval, son of Jagdish Prasad — defied all odds to rewrite the village's history.
A JOURNEY MARKED BY STRUGGLE
Ramsevak's story is one of extraordinary determination. The eldest of five siblings, he juggled his studies with backbreaking work to help support his family. During the wedding season, he would earn Rs 200–300 a night by carrying portable road lights at marriage processions. On other days, he worked on construction sites or in the fields. Despite these responsibilities, he carved out time to study late into the night under a thatched shed, lit only by a solar lamp provided under an MLA development scheme—his home still lacks electricity.
'When I came back late at night from work, I would sit under the shed and study. I would note down anything I did not understand and ask my teachers the next day," Ramsevak told News18.
He studied at the Government Inter College in Ahmedpur, about 500 metres from the village. 'People often mocked me. They used to say I would never pass, but I was determined to prove them wrong," he said.
Ramsevak's hard work bore fruit when he passed the Class 10 board exams with a score of 55 per cent. It was not just a personal triumph—it was a landmark moment for the entire village. The District Magistrate of Barabanki, Shashank Tripathi, invited him to a special meeting on Monday. However, there was a problem—Ramsevak did not own a pair of shoes or decent clothes to wear.
Teachers at his school pooled money to buy him a new outfit and a pair of shoes—the first he had ever worn. 'My toes were too spread out from years of walking barefoot. It was difficult to fit them into the shoes," he said, laughing.
At the meeting, the DM praised Ramsevak's perseverance and announced that his further education fees would be waived. 'He asked me how I studied. When I told him everything, he said, 'Keep studying with dedication. Your fees from now on will be covered,'" he further explained.
A FAMILY'S DREAM
Ramsevak's mother, Pushpa Devi, who works as a cook at the local primary school, said: 'I studied only till Class 5. I never imagined any of my children could pass Class 10. We're struggling financially and often take loans just to pay school fees and buy books. But today, all that hardship feels worth it."
His father, Jagdish Prasad, is a daily labourer. 'I couldn't study. I've always done manual work," he said. 'Ramsevak works with me sometimes, but he always makes time to study."
Ramsevak has two younger brothers and two sisters. One brother is in Class 9, another in Class 5, and his youngest sister is just starting Class 1. Their eldest sister is already married.
A SPARK OF CHANGE
Ramsevak's achievement has breathed new life into the village's relationship with education. Two other boys from the village—Lovelesh and Mukesh—also appeared for the Class 10 exams this year but did not pass. Still, they are inspired.
'I failed this year, but I will try again," said Lovelesh, whose father, Nanku, is a farmer. 'My brother studied till Class 9. I want to go further and not end up doing manual labour like our elders," he added.
Ramsevak dreams of becoming an engineer, though he still struggles to believe that such a future is possible. 'It feels strange to even say it aloud," he admitted. 'But maybe, just maybe, it can happen."
As Nizampur awakens to the value of education, one thing is certain—Ramsevak's 55 per cent has scored a hundred in inspiration.
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tags :
Class 10 board exam uttar pradesh
Location :
Lucknow, India, India
First Published:
May 05, 2025, 18:15 IST
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