Girls during the morning assemblies in a madrasa in Murshidabad take an oath that they will complete their studies and not get married before that. This has been turned into a regular feature so that the girls stay committed to their resolution.
Many of the girls at Debkunda Abdur Razzak Memorial Girls High Madarsah come from families where their parents want them to get married early because of financial constraints and social pressure.
“We have to study. We will not leave our studies to get married. We have to reach the top,” is the oath that the girls take after their morning prayers.
The school now has 1,600 girls on its rolls from Classes V to XII led by a feisty woman who herself refused to get married in her teens to carry on her studies.
“If they repeat an oath regularly it will create a belief in them that they can achieve their goals and that they have it in them to surpass odds. We want to instil that confidence in these girls so they can resist early marriage and stand up against it,” said headmistress Murshida Khatun.
“The oath helps the girls start the day on a positive note,” said Khatun.
This year, the school was one of the recipients of The Telegraph School of The Year at The Telegraph School Awards for Excellence.
The school now conducts regular workshops for the girls where they are explained about the importance of education. They counsel the girls on various aspects and give them career advice.
“It came to our notice that after every workshop, for a few days at least, the girls are charged up and very positive. So it occurred to a teacher that we should make it a regular activity,” said Khatun.
“Even if 20 girls out of 100 girls start thinking differently, it is a big achievement,” Khatun feels.
Over the years, the teachers have noticed a change in attitude among the girls. Even some families have shown signs of positive changes. This, Khatun feels, is a reflection of the school’s efforts.
“The girls now want to study and they aspire to go to college and beyond. There is a transformation in their thinking. These are small steps but it shows that we have come a long way from where we were,” said a teacher.
Things are not easy for these girls who have to fight financial constraints at home to continue their studies.
Most of them are first-generation learners and their parents can barely read or write. Some give up mid-way despite their aspirations.
Several girls give up because their families won’t be able to afford their education.
“The school tries to arrange for donors. But with limited means we can help only a few,” said Khatun.