Night-school: a bittersweet feeling

If making money is important as a student, night schools might be the answer. Yet, not all is a smooth sail, when for some, night is day and day is night.

Pressured by life

For 19-year-old Vikram Faltankar, life was never easy. Leaving his family, Vikram came to Mumbai at the young age of ten in search of work. "I would work as a cleaner and fix wires in people's houses for a small amount of money. I always had a desire to study, but couldn't because I had to work to survive. Later I looked out for places which could help me study. The NGO Masoom contacted me one day and I feel they were god sent," says Vikram. Thanks to Masoom, Vikram is now in class 10. Working as a xerox operator at the Kurla Court, he speaks of his hectic schedule, "I get up at six in the morning and go to work, after which I attend school from 6 pm - 9 pm. By the time I reach home and spend some time studying, it is midnight and time to sleep." Earning Rs 7,000 a month does not help Vikram pay his bills and he is certain that education will help him do better. "I am always worried about losing my job, or not doing well at school.

Financial hiccups

Kavita a 23-year-old from Delhi has a similar story to share. At the age of nine her family moved to Delhi from UP, and she was forced to give up studying due to financial constraints. She worked as a house help. "I always wanted to study and be financially independent. I was aware this was possible only through education," explains Kavita. Currently pursuing her second year in BA through a night school service offered by Vidya, an NGO in Delhi, Kavita's situation has never been more comfortable. "The people I worked for as a young girl were generous enough to connect me with Vidya. Today I am tied up either with work or study, and don't get family time. I survive only on two hours of sleep." Kavita works as a housekeeping supervisor at IIT Delhi. "If a person is not blessed with wealth he must work for it. I have seen all kinds of days, today the money I make allows me to live a comfortable life, but there are times when I look forward to getting a better job."

Happy to help

"Lack of education is a growing problem and even if I am a part of a venture which addresses this problem at a small level, it gives me great joy," says Priyanka Mathur, Director of Operations, Vidya. It has helped 800 plus students get access to education while working. The NGO operates from Delhi and has its branches in Mumbai, Bangalore, and Pune.

5 NIGHT SCHOOLS IN MUMBAI AND DELHI

St. Xavier's Night School, Mumbai
The Kanara Vidyadaini Night High School, Mumbai
Siddharth Night High School, Mumbai
All India Citizens' Alliance for Progress & Development (AICAPD), Delhi
Night School by Vidya at IIT Delhi