From illiteracy to the field of teaching: Story of Durgamma

Most of them look at her warily when 19-year old Durgamma tells them that she had never been enrolled to primary school. How can a bright student of D.Ed in MES College of Davanagere be an out-of-school child?

For her illiterate, landless parents Rudrappa and Girijamma, children's education was not in their agenda. They were wage labourers in agriculture farms of Naganur village, Davanagere taluk. Among the three children, he little sister was somehow able to go to school. However, she and her elder brother never got enrolled to school.

She was at home till her 9th year. She cleaned the house, did the ran-errands, cooked sometimes and played with other children. She started rearing five sheep of the village for Rs.10 per sheep per month. She moved from one place to another with the sheep. Her parents collected the money from sheep owners. She found herself enjoyed in rearing the sheep.

Ms Sharanamma of SEEDS, who had formed SHGs in her village, met her while rearing the sheep. They motivated her to come to bridge school. She had in fact lot of interest to join school and learn lessons. When she shared her interest to join school, her parents refused it and continuously de-motivated her. However, Durgamma could not stay at home. She joined Chiguru Bridge School, run by SEEDS. In the guise of a holiday, her parents came to school to take her home. Later, she was not allowed to go back from home. That was the time she had to run away from home to attend the school.

She knew only her name to write. That too, she learnt it from her sister. She soon picked up alphabets, tables, mathematics, songs, dance and other soft skills in a year. She appeared for 5th Std examination in Shamanur Government Primary school. She was admitted by SEEDS to SC/ST Hostel for Girls run by Social Welfare department at Davanagere to continue her studies from 6th Std. She joined for high schooling in Govt High school, Naganur. She operated from home then.

Everyone in her village was surprised to hear that she passed SSLC with 55%. Her interest to continue the studies has no limits. She joined PUC in Mothiveerappa PU college, Davanagere. During her study, she operated from home. By then, there was a change in the attitude of parents who later supported for her education. She passed PUC with 51%.

When Durgamma had an opportunity to attend the workshop on soft skills at Kondaje, organized by SEEDS, the great desire to become a school teacher was born.

Now she is a first year student of D.Ed in MES College, Davanagere where she got the seat on merit. Parents are in support of her education. She feels, "there are many children who are deprived of educational opportunities. I will definitely help such children".