I am Rajalakshmi. I have recently completed Class 12. For the past year, I have been attending the Ambedkar Evening Study Centre (ESC) run by Madurai Legal Awareness Coordination Committee in Kannampatti. Around 63 students study at our centre, and the people in our village have been very supportive. While I was studying in Class 12, it was difficult for me to study at home because of family problems. My father often came home after drinking and created disturbances. I wanted to score good marks in my public examination. So, I started attending the Evening Study Centre, where teachers gave special coaching to students of Classes 10, 11, and 12. Sometimes, my father did not allow me to attend the classes at the centre.

During a parent-teacher meeting, I shared this with the staff. The staff members visited my parents and explained the importance of girls’ education and how education can improve the future of the whole family. Their counselling helped my parents support my studies. Although my father tried many times to stop me from attending the centre, the teachers continued to encourage and support me. Because of their guidance and constant efforts, I successfully passed the Class 12 public examination with 417 marks. I thank the Evening Study Centre, its teachers, the coordinator, and all the staff of the Madurai Legal Awareness Coordination Committee.

– Rajalakshmi, Kannampatti