Dongri home inmate creates history, first to pass Xth exam
In an inspirational story that brought in a ray of hope to about 450 children who are living at the Dongri Observation Home and Safety Home, a 16-year-old boy, Aslam (name changed) cleared his 10th standard from the National Institute of Open Schooling board, securing 58 per cent. His results were out last Saturday, December 16 and spread an atmosphere of happiness and pride among the staff workers and children at the home. This is the first time in the history of the home that a child has passed his 10th standard while staying there.
Since the inception of the home in 1927, defaulting kids under the age of 18 have been brought here for psychological help. However, while they are at the home, they are often deprived of their learning years as no school is ready to admit them. Their cases go on for years in thre Sessions Court or until a final decision can be taken by the Juvenile Justice Board. As a result, the child has already lost his precious years. This is the first time a child managed to complete his education from a recognised school. The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) comes under the Ministry of Human Resource Development and was formed to provide education to remote areas in a bid to increase literacy. Just like open college, kids who register for the course do not have to attend school regularly. The NIOS is a national board that administers examinations for Secondary and Senior Secondary exams of open schools, similar to the CBSE and the CISCE, to increase literacy and provide education in rural areas. It also offers vocational courses after high school.
The boy was brought to the home in early 2016. Amar Khajbage, concerned Probation Officer of the Observation Home, said, “The NGO 'Ashiyana', which came forward to teach our kids had five boys aged between 16-18. The volunteers used to come 2-3 days a week and teach all subjects. Out of the five, two boys were let out on bail. Out of the remaining three, only one could pass the exam. The exam took place in October and the results were out last Saturday. The Light Arms Force police unit escorted the boy to his exam centre everyday.”
Trupti Jadhav, Superintendent of Dongri Observation Home said, “For the first time, such good news has come across. This is an inspiration for the other kids and also for the two boys who could not make it this time. All this was possible due to the dedicated efforts of the staff and also our seniors who voluntarily came forward when we discussed educating these kids. It is important as these are the impressionable years we did not want them to lose.”
She further stated that the kids at the Home are in conflict with law and so proper nourishment is important to make sure that they can begin a new life once they leave the place. The boy's case has now been shifted from the Sessions Court to the Juvenile Justice Board.
Jadhav also thanked her seniors Kamlakar Phand, Commissioner ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme), Pravin Bhavsar, Chief Officer of Children Aid Society, Mumbai and Rangnath Kulkarni, Chief Probation Officer of the Dongri Observation Home.