14-yr-old not allowed to resume education after 5-yr gap

HYDERABAD: As excited students entered the government school located in the education minister and district education office’s premises on Monday as schools
reopened, a 14-year-old girl, accompanied by her grandmother, painted a picture of despair, squatting in front of the school, after the girl was denied admission.

S. Maleshwari, the girl, wanted to resume her education after a five-year gap, but was not allowed to do so.

“I studied till fifth in this same school. Since I was hurt in the head while playing near my home, I did not attend school. There was around a five-year gap. I realised education is important for my growth,” she said.

She said, “The school administration did not give me admission. If I don’t get education, I will also end up as a petty vendor selling goods on roadside, like my parents.”

Rajeshwari, her grandmother, said, “The administration denied the admission,
saying that admissions are given to dropouts from the private schools. But, since my granddaughter was a government school dropout they said they could not admit her.”

She said, “We want this girl to study. There are another two girls in my neighbourhood, Varalaxmi and Nanika, who are going through the same situation.”

Rajeshwari, a resident of Basheerbagh Pittla Basti, said, “I sell ginger-garlic on a pushcart along roads. My son is a petty flower and fruit seller. This girl was forcing me to take her to school and admit her. Leaving my work, I came here on the request of this girl. I plan to return tomorrow. If it’s in her fate, she will get admission. Else, she will just stay at home.”