Teachers can change lives.
That is what happened with 20-year-old Anirban Maiti.
The son of a daily wage earner in South 24-Parganas, who had left his studies last year because of the pandemic and taken up odd jobs, has gone back to school, or rather a university, backed by some of his teachers, who raised a portion of his fees.
Anirban cleared Class XII with 93 per cent marks in vocational studies at Krishnachandrapur High School in Mathurapur in 2020. But in the same year he decided to “quit” because of family responsibilities and depleting savings during the pandemic. His teachers from the school managed to locate him and guided him so that he could finish his education.
Anirban secured a seat in Chandigarh University to study BSc in hotel and hospitality management this year. But then his parents could not afford his fees.
That was when about 10 teachers of Krishnachandrapur High School, from where he passed Madhyamik as well in 2018 with 85 per cent marks, came together to raise about Rs 55,000 for the first semester. “He was a sincere student. Circumstances pushed him into taking up odd jobs to support his family,” said headmaster Chandan Maity.
“Had there been no pandemic, we would have located him faster and perhaps he would not have lost a year.”
The headmaster said they would have to raise more money for the course.
During the pandemic many students, especially from the districts, have quit studies to earn some money, said several teachers.
Anirban went to Uttar Pradesh for a brief period and worked in a jewellery shop as a helper. “They gave me some money,” the boy said.
His next assignment was in an iron and steel company in Jhargram, where he earned Rs 7,800 a month.
“Our savings are almost over. I had to take up a job for my family,” he said.
Anirban hopes the BSc degree would help him get a better job and the financial worries would lessen in due course. Right now his goal is to do well and secure a scholarship. “I hope I will be able to do justice to my teachers’ expectations,” he said.
Headmaster Maity said even after students left school, the teachers would try to keep track of them and see to it they did not give up their education.