Mita Mukherjee
A group of six students of South Point School Kolkata, all first-generation learners from Jangal Mahal, a backward tribal belt in West Bengal, have scored 70 to 80 per cent marks in Class X CBSE examinations, the result of which were declared on Tuesday.
South Point, one of the most sought-after institutions among Kolkata’s parents, had taken the six students in Class V at the request of chief minister Mamata Banerjee in 2015.
While attending the foundation stone laying ceremony of a new campus of the south Kolkata school six years ago, the chief minister had told the school that she was aware of the high academic standard and excellence maintained by South Point. She wanted to see whether children from Jangalmahal could adjust to the high standard education offered in reputable schools like South Point if they were given an opportunity to avail of education in such an institution.
So she asked the school if it could offer free education to some students from Jangal Mahal.
Responding to the chief minister’s request the six students were admitted to the institution. The entire expenses for educating them were borne by the school. Since they come from Jangal Mahal, nearly 170 km away from Kolkata the students needed accommodation in the city. The state government arranged free accommodation in government hostels.
The scores of the six students in the Class X exam are as follows. Sisir Kumar Mandi scored 80.3 per cent, Sagen Kisku 73.3 per cent, Ruma Hansda 71.2 per cent, Rimil Murmu 72. 4 per cent, Lakshman Mandi 76.8 per cent and Laxmimoni Mudi 72. 4 per cent.
Like previous years, the overall performance of students of South Point is “excellent” in the Class X board exam even this time.
Krishna Damani, trustee of South Point school described the performance of the six children as the institution’s “special pride”.
“ There was special interest in the result of the six pupils as they are extra special to us. The team of six joined South Point after chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her wish. All of them are first generation learners. They came to Kolkata with dreams of a future different from other boys and girls in the schools they studied in their villages. There were many challenges that came in their way to fulfill their dreams. All of them have worked very hard and were able to overcome the difficulties,” Damani told EducationWorld.
The biggest challenge before all the six students was adjusting to classroom teaching that is offered in English in South Point.
The school offered them extra tutoring to improve their English skills. Teachers mentored them regularly so that they could pick up the ways of a city English medium school, said Damani.
All the six boys and girls are now studying in Class XI in South Point where they will be offered the same facilities till they complete Class XII.
The students are now in their homes since the school is closed. The school has given them tabs to attend the online classes.