In a first, tribal girls from Nilgiris join post-graduate courses in Chennai college

R. Sijitha and K. Krishna Priya have been hostel-mates from school. While at the residential Government Higher Secondary School, Ambalamoola, Nilgiris District, the duo came across students of the Chemistry department of Madras Christian College (MCC) organising three-day science camps at their school every year. Unbeknownst to them, a seed was planted.

A week ago, three tribal girls, including Sijitha and Krishna Priya, from remote villages in the Nilgiris district joined the MCC to pursue post-graduate courses in Tamil and Public Administration, respectively, a first for their respective communities. Here’s their story.

K. Krishna Priya

After finishing school, Sijitha and Krishna Priya, both belonging to the Paniya tribe, joined Government Arts College, Udhagamandalam, to pursue undergraduate studies in Tamil and Commerce, respectively. Their mothers, both single parents, were daily wage earners picking tea leaves at tea gardens nearby, a job that also fetched pocket money for the girls during holidays when they were in college.

At the college, they met K.V. Amaya from the Mullakurumba tribe, who was pursuing B.Sc. Mathematics. “I had health issues during the Class 12 public exam and scored around 70 per cent in Mathematics,” recalls Amaya. “I did not like my marks and thought that I should know more about Mathematics,” she said.

K.V. Amaya

While Sijitha and Krishna Priya were beneficiaries of the State government’s Pudhumai Penn scheme through college, Amaya’s schooling at the Sacred Heart School in Erumad made her ineligible for the scheme. All three, however, had SC/ST scholarships. While in college, the trio decided to pursue higher studies. They were also egged on by one Gokul Prashanth, who is associated with a non-profit that works with tribals in the district. Mr. Gokul has helped raise funds to meet the needs of the students.

“Our philosophy of equity in education ensures that we reach out to first-generation learners across the underprivileged spectrum. We call it inclusive engagement,” said R. Belinda, Director, Extension Programmes, MCC. “We offer a fee waiver and free accommodation for the tribal students,” she added. In the recent past, the college has enrolled students rescued from bonded labour as well.

R. Sijitha

Sijitha and Krishna Priya said they want to pursue the civil services after their Masters while Amaya wants to opt for higher studies. “I want to eventually go back home and take up a teaching job. On the side, I want to guide young tribal students in science, mathematics and career prospects, something that is lacking back there,” Amaya observed.

While her village and surrounding areas had a few undergraduates, they had to engage in odd jobs for low wages for want of career guidance. Only in the past five years or so, a few of the educated youth passed competitive exams and took up jobs as teachers and bankers, she says.