Sarlahi, February 28:

Already 71 and studying in Grade II, Ekmaya Khatri aims to pass SLC examination. The dream of the mother of three and grandmother of eight kids may come true with the help of Grihini High School in Hariwan VDC of Saptari, which serves housewives like her who did not get chance to study or were forced to quit schools during their youth.

Ekmaya is not the only women studying in the school run by Community Study Centre (CSC), a non-government organisation. Kamala Kumari, 14, Manju Jha, 20, and Shusila Ghalan, 19, are among the 599 women studying in different grades in the school.

The women are aged between 14 and 71.

“I am very elated to get the opportunity to study at this age. I couldn’t study during my youth as daughters weren’t supposed to go to schools then. Now, I don’t have any problem. My desire of years for study has finally fulfilled,” Ekamaya added.

The school has been drawing women from Hariwan and neighbouring Karmaiya, Dhurkauli, Sasapur and Dhungraikhola VDCs.

Shusila Ghalan, who discontinued studies when she was in Grade IX after marriage, has joined the school to give continuity to her studies. “I am enrolled in in the school because of my interest and my husband’s support,” she said.

According to Sundhara Shrestha, a teacher in the school, housewives were not interested in informal adult education, as it only helps them to read and write their names. “Women come here to pass SLC and pursue higher education,” she added.

The school charges only Rs 10 entry fee in the primary level. Books and stationeries are also provided by the school free of cost. However, women in high school level have to purchase books and stationeries on their own.

Principal Damendra Bhattarai said the NGO had been providing free education to the women with the purpose of making them capable of appearing in SLC examination within six years.

The school plans to construct a concrete building on five katthas of land provided by Chaturbhujeswor High School.

“The chief of Department of Education Mahashram Sharma has assured us of providing necessary budget for the construction of the building and purchase furniture,” Yamini Prasad Dip, president of the NGO, said.