A number of students from economically weaker families at remote villages in Malda district have outshined others as they have emerged as toppers in the high madrasah exam.
The results were announced by the West Bengal Board of Madrasah Examinations on Monday.

The board also published the results of Alim (Class X theological course) and Fazil (equivalent to Class XII) exams on Monday. Altogether, 73,708 students appeared in the three exams which were held in March.

“Of the total candidates, over 47,000 were girls, many of whom are from families of low income. In the high madrasah exam, which is an equivalent of Class X, 87.02 per cent of the students have passed,” said a source in the board.

The board runs 614 madrasahs in Bengal.
Fifteen students have made it to the list of 10 high scorers in the high madrasah exam which has a total score of 800 marks and 10 of them are from Malda district.
The Telegraph profiles the 10 from Malda district.

Name: Sarifa Khatun
Score: 786 marks
Rank: First
School: Ratua Battala Adarsha High Madrasah
Sarifa’s father Ujir Hossain sells “chop and muri” (indigenous croquettes and puffed rice) from a roadside stall in Ratua and earns around Rs 5,000 a month. Sarifa has scored 100 in mathematics and 99 each in Bengali, life science and geography.
The girl, who is known for her sublime behaviour among neighbours, wants to become a gynaecologist and treat poor people free of cost. Although perturbed by the financial constraints of her family, Sarifa is determined to achieve her goal.

Mohammad Wakil Ansari

Name: Mohammad Wakil Ansari
Score: 773 marks
Rank: Third
School: Ramnagar High Madrasah, Gazole
Ansari has secured 100 each in mathematics, life science and geography. His father Mohammad Jahirul Islam is a teacher at a private preparatory school and earns around Rs 6,000 a month. Mother Sabera Bibi is a homemaker.
The boy is not sure if he will be able to pursue higher studies because of his family’s meagre income.

Aziza Khatun

Name: Aziza Khatun
Score: 773 marks
Rank: Third
School: Dariapur Baishi High Madrasah, Kaliachak,
Aziza’s father Hormuz Sheikh is a driver. The girl, along with her studies, also finds time to help her mother in “bidi” binding.
She wants to be a doctor but is unsure if her family can finance her coaching for the medical entrance exam. The family earns around
Rs 10,000 a month.
“My parents want me to go ahead but I feel sad for them as they have to look after my three younger siblings,” she said.

Sania Parvin

Name: Sania Parvin
Score: 769 marks
Rank: Fifth
School: Sujapur Naimouza Subhania High Madrasah, Kaliachak
Sania’s father Barkat Ali runs a small tailoring shop and her mother Sarika Khatun helps him.
The family’s monthly income is around Rs 7,000.
The parents are keen to see their daughter continue her studies and have recently spent Rs 4,200 to get her admitted to a private school for higher studies.
“My daughter has got the talent but I am financially backward. Even then, we would put our best efforts so that she can make a career of her own,” said the father.

Raunak Jahan

Name: Raunak Jahan
Score: 771 marks
Rank: Fourth
School: Ramnagar High Madrasah, Gazole
Mohammad Rezaul Haquem, her father, is a marginal farmer and earns around Rs 7,000 a month.
Mohammad has credited teachers of the state-aided madrasah for the performance of her daughter.

“I cannot afford to pay for her private tuitions. But she is a disciplined student and never missed her classes. The teachers helped her whenever she went to them. But my earning is not enough to help her in her higher studies. However, I believe she will excel again with her merit. I am proud that a daughter of a farmer like me has scored higher marks,” he said.