A farmer’s wife, mother of four and a student… at 43

UDAIPUR - Like any other farmer’s wife, 43-year-old Bhanwari Devi Prajapat works hard to make both ends meet but unlike most she dares to dream. The mother of four wants to become a teacher and recently appeared for the Class 10 board examinations for the third time.

They say it’s never too late to learn. But for Bhanwari Devi it wasn’t easy.

A resident of Kamol village, with a population of 5,000, near Gogunda in Udaipur district of Rajasthan, Bhanwari Devi has three daughters and a son.

The eldest of her daughters, Rekha — now married — has studied up to Class 7. Her son Mahendra has just appeared for the Class 9 examinations. Another daughter Pooja is in Class 7 and the youngest one, Deepika, is in Class 2.

While working hard to ensure a decent education for her own children, Bhanwari Devi did not let her own aspirations get snuffed. She always wanted to be teacher.

She was appointed a ‘para teacher’ after she cleared her Class 9 examinations over three years ago. She now wants to pursue a Senior Teaching Certificate (STC) course, which can be done after studying till Class 12.

“I want to be a teacher, so I plan to pursue the STC course,” Bhanwari Devi told IANS.

Para teachers are recruited by the government or a body, at less than the regular teacher pay scale, for formal as well as alternative schools to meet the demand for basic education.

Engagement of para teachers is also seen as an effort to universalise access to education in remote habitations that do not qualify for having a formal primary school and also do not have a school within an approachable distance of one km.

“My colleagues, who are also para teachers, inspired me to study further,” she said.

Asked if her age does not discourage her, she said: “It does not affect me. Why should it? I want to study and I always feel that age cannot stop you from learning.”

Despite failing twice in her attempts to clear the Class 10 board examinations, Bhanwari Devi is undeterred.

“This year, I have performed well in the examinations and I hope to clear it,” she said with confidence.

The villagers are awed by her resolution to study and encourage her.

“Her determination amazes me. We are with her and encourage her regularly to finish her studies and become a teacher,” Ramgopal, a resident of the village, said.

(Anil Sharma can be contacted at anil.s@ians.in)