MUMBAI: Diligent daughters of a wireman and a farmer topped their schools in rural Ahmednagar at the recently concluded SSC exams in Maharashtra. Pooja Tribhuvan achieved 94% and Tanuja Kale scored 92.2%. Both are school toppers already.
Their schools Somaiya Vidya Mandir Laxmiwadi, and Somaiya Vidya Mandir, Sakarwadi, achieved 90% pass results. They were proud to have female students as toppers.
The children's achievement is remarkable for more than half of them come from underprivileged homes. Several are first generation learners whose parents work as farmers or labourers. Parents play an inclusive role in their education.
Pooja's father is a wireman and her mother works in a sweetmeat shop. She said, "I studied for two or three hours a day. I had a few difficulties studying Sanskrit and English but the school helped me overcome them.'' Her father Kailashrao said, "I had to give up my education and work to support my family. So I wanted my children to have the opportunity to learn. Pooja worked very hard. It was her 'jidd' (determination) that she managed to achieve what her father could not. My son has studied here too."
Sakarwadi principal Sunita Pare said, "Our topper Tanuja Kale, who is the daughter of a farmer, had also topped the National Talent Search last year. She is a very intelligent student and has worked hard despite financial difficulties."
Sakarwadi saw a pass percentage of 97.70 of which 20% passed with distinction marks. Besides Tanuja, Devyani Gagare scored 92% and Pratiksha More 91.6%. The Laxmiwadi school had a pass percentage of 91.3% with 16% students scoring distinction marks. Close on Puja's heels came Vrushali Ghane with 92.8% and Priyanka Paghire and Rudra Jambhulkar both with 91.8%.
The schools are run by Godavari Biorefineries in association with Somaiya Vidyavihar, Mumbai. Both institutes also provide visiting teachers and guest lecturers from Somaiya Vidyavihar, Mumbai, as well as experts from international colleges on occasion.
Samir Somaiya, president, Somaiya Vidyavihar, said, "It is the dedication of the school principals and teachers that creates the foundation for all great institutions. The children of the villages are dear to us and we are very proud of their achievements."
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