Phidim, April 4:

A Majhi girl of Phidim-5 in Panchthar has appeared in the SLC examination for the first time this year. Prijana Majhi (18), is the first to sit for the exams among the 156 women of 97 Majhi families living in different areas in Panchthar and Terhathum.

Prijana, a student of Phidim secondary school, has appeared as an exempted candidate. Last year she failed to take up the test due to her sickness. According to statistics, out of the 156 Majhi women, none had appeared in the SLC exams before. Out of 143 men, three have passed the exams. Most of the children in these areas do not go to schools.

According to the latest census, there are 143 Majhi men, 156 women and 116 children in these areas. Apart from Prijana, one Susmita Majhi is also studying in class 10 currently.

Majhi children here have been deprived of education due to lack of schools and parents’ awareness, said Punya Prasad Bhandari, headmaster of the Phidim Secondary School.

“I will work for the welfare of the Majhi community if I pass the SLC examination,” Prijana said.