Girls’ Challenges To Education

Dr R Poornima describes the educational rough journey toward the position she is right now. She reminds that endurance, persistence, determination, and consistency are the sole weapons towards educational achievements she has today.

Illustration by Elham Ghaedi

My name is R. Poornima. I am 39 years old and was born in a rural area of Tamil Nadu, India. My father is a farmer, and my mother is a homemaker. I grew up in an economically disadvantaged family that adhered to Orthodox religious principles. At that time, we lived in a village where life was incredibly challenging, especially for growing children, particularly girls, as basic necessities were often lacking.

When I began attending school, I faced numerous obstacles that hindered my access to education. Despite these challenges, my mother stood by me, working tirelessly to ensure I could attend school and receive an education. She played a pivotal role in my academic success and never gave up on supporting me.

I would like to share some of the challenges I overcame. The school I attended was located far from home, and the journey there was arduous, with a risky and mountainous road. Every day, I had to walk more than two kilometers to school and back home. I had to wake up early, leaving at 7 am to arrive on time before classes began. Sometimes, I encountered rainy and foggy weather, which resulted in my books and notebooks getting wet. Despite this, I persevered, determined to set an example for other girls that with determination, they could achieve their educational goals.

Apart from the distance challenge, the quality of education was poor due to the incompetence of the teachers. Poverty was another significant obstacle. My father’s income was limited, and he couldn’t cover all the family’s expenses, including my school fees. Loneliness and hardships made me resilient, and I developed a strong desire to excel in my studies to support my family.

I always remembered my mother’s tears and sacrifices to ensure I received an education. This motivated me to achieve top grades from primary school to secondary school. Despite these challenges, early marriage was a critical issue. My family faced pressure to withdraw me from school and force me into an early marriage. However, my mother continued to support and encourage me until I completed my secondary education.

She then made the difficult decision to send me to the city, where my aunt lived, to continue my education at PSGR Krishnammal College for Women. There, I earned my B.Sc. in Mathematics with excellent grades, allowing me to pursue postgraduate studies. I enrolled at Nirmala College for Women, where I completed my M.Sc. in Mathematics. Despite financial constraints, I began my career as a Mathematics teacher at BVM Matric Hr Secondary School. Later, I resumed my M.Phil. studies through distance education while working.

I worked tirelessly during my M.Phil. studies, achieving the highest grades and becoming a Lecturer at PKR Arts and Science College for Women under Bharathiar University in 2007. This paved the way for my Ph.D. in Fuzzy Mathematics, which I obtained in 2019. My determination, endurance, and commitment enabled me to overcome these challenges and achieve my educational dreams.

I am the only girl in my family and village to have completed such extensive studies and realize the dreams we all aspire to. My strong determination, supported by my mother, played a crucial role in this achievement. I have published 22 articles in reputable journals, with one patent publication, and received two research awards. Currently, I work as an Associate Professor at a private institution in Coimbatore.

I am actively involved in volunteering to raise awareness about the importance of education, both within my college and the broader community. I use social media, organize initiatives, and deliver public lectures to inspire the younger generation to understand the significance of education at the individual, community, and societal levels for the nation’s development.

As a mother to my son, who has overcome numerous obstacles to reach where I am today, I am dedicated to ensuring he receives a quality education and becomes ambitious and inspiring. The example I set in my home serves as a reference for the values and aspirations I advocate for in the broader world.

Dr R Poornima

Associate Professor, Department of Science and Humanities Hindusthan College of Engineering and Technology Coimbatore – 32, Tamil Nadu, India.

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