Delhi NGO gives Muslim girls a second chance

New Delhi: A local NGO gave over two dozen Muslim girls who had dropped out of school, a chance at higher education. Most left school at the secondary level because of poverty or lack of family support. But Pehchan, operating since 2011 in Jaitpur Extension near Okhla, identified them through door-to-door campaign, coached them privately and had them write Class X and XII exams of Jamia Millia Islamia Board, managed by the university, as private candidates.
Since 2011, 32 girls have cleared exams. This year, five students have passed Class XII and are hoping to join a bachelor's programmes at JMI. Apart from tutoring them at the free Pehchan Coaching Centre, it also funds their education and provides vocational training.
It helped Mubeena Khatoon, 19, complete her schooling. Her father died 10 years ago, leaving her disabled mother to provide for five children. Mubeena and her elder sister took up embroidery, earning a meagre Rs 2,000-2,500 per month. She came to Pehchan to learn tailoring, and was encouraged to study. Class VIII dropout, Khatoon, passed Class X with first division and got a job at a call centre. Attending coaching classes at night, she passed Class XII this year.
Khatoon doesn't have higher education plans yet but Asma, 18, does. Daughter of a daily-wager, she completed Class XII this year and hopes to study in JMI. "I want to get a BA degree, then a B.Ed (education) and teach in Pehchan," she said.
"We started Pehchan here because of the high girls' dropout rate. The nearest government school is seven kilometres away and people can't afford private schools," said activist Shabnam Hashmi. "With every child we teach, we also push their marriage back," she added. Hashmi runs the NGO, ANHAD, the major patron for Pehchan.