Rahul was 12 years old, when he was enrolled in 6th std in his village Mandibhatha, under Bhira Panchayat of Bodla block in Kawardha district. Bodla is a tribal block located in mountainous forest region.
Most tribal parents do not send their children to school. The children are first generation learners and the it’s difficult for parents to support their children with their school work. Instead, a child is expected to stay home, help with household chores including rearing cattle and looking after younger siblings.
Rahul also attended school for a day ,where he received uniform and never returned! Samerth runs an education program in the area on inclusive education in the area. One of Samerth’s facilitator does regular door to door visit to encourage parents to send their children to school. During such visit one of Samerth’s facilitator Ms. Srimati came to know about Rahul. She spoke to Rahul and realized that he would want to attend school as all his friends attended school. She then spoke to his parents to understand their reasons for not sending him to school. His father Tihari Lal Baiga and mother Dhan Bai explained that Rahul had learnt to write his name and read village name which was enough for them and they expected him to help them around the house and in rearing their goats.
Samerth’s facilitator began counselling his parents regularly to let their son attend the school which would not only improve his knowledge but he would be happier to go back to his friends in the school. Though reluctant in the beginning, the parents sent Rahul to school after few days. In our consecutive visits it was found that Rahul is now a regular at school, he looks cheerful and bows to salute Samerth’s counselor whenever he faces her.
