Inspiration
West Bengal teacher forms unique support group for students pursuing science
Dhrubajyoti Sen, a Mathematics teacher at a government school in Howrah, has invited students on Facebook to contact him for any financial assistance to continue their studies in the science stream. He says he will also support students from commerce and arts streams once he enlists help from these
Every day news from the education sectors swamps us with parents protests, unfair school demands, illegal needs etc. But every now and then positive stories surface and remind us that there is still hope for the human race.
Let me share with you the story of a government school teacher from West Bengal who is willing to sponsor needy, meritorious students with his salary so that they do not drop out of school due to financial difficulties.
Dhrubajyoti Sen, a Mathematics teacher at a government school in Salap, Howrah, has taken to Facebook and openly asked such students to contact him, if they need any financial assistance to continue their studies. He shared how he wanted to help "needy, meritorious students having a good percentage and wanting to pursue further studies in the Science stream".
"In this mission (to help such students), I am alone with my salary as a school teacher," he said. "I don't know how much I can help, but I will try."
Despite Sen's noble intentions, his is a solitary hand offering support and there are far too many bright students who could use such monitory support. Which is why, Sen has had to narrow down the circle to those who cleared their Class X Board exams this year and are from Howrah, Hoogli district or Kolkata.
Sen will provide books, private tuition and school fees for the following 2 years of school along with guidance to those who want to attempt IITJEE or medical entrance exams.
"Nowadays, children who attend government schools mostly come from low-income families," said Sen. "When these students get good marks in their Boards and consider pursuing Science, problems arise."
"The problem in the education system is that the syllabus is changing every year. Students are unable to reuse old books." And new books set back the students by hefty amounts. For example, a new Mathematics books cost around Rs 450 to 500. Physics, Chemistry and Biology textbooks collectively cost around Rs 2000 altogether. Then, there are the admission charges and private tuition fees."
For Sen it is a simple equation, after providing for his family, he wishes to distribute a part of his salary "among these needy students for their books and copies".
"Since a group of teachers are with me, they will guide them for IITJEE and medical (entrance exams), along with the Board (exams) preparation for two complete years," he added.
Although currently he is offering help to students in pursuing science, this is purely due to the reason that he himself is a mathematics teacher himself and a “group of Science teachers" are assisting him with this project. However, he does want to help students from Arts and Commerce stream in future, if he manages to enlist the help from those faculties too.
Sen's Facebook post has managed to garner much attention and create a buzz. Many students are reaching out to him with the details he asked for while several others are visiting his page to applaud his initiative. When asked if he will be continuing this project next year, he said he wishes to continue his "mission" till the end of his life.
"I hope that after my death, my daughter takes my mission forward," he added.
Image Courtesy: india today