A 60-year-old woman puts on a pink saree every day, picks up a backpack and gets ready for school. No, it isn’t for her child or her grandchild, it’s for herself
One of a kind, this unusual school in Phangane village in Thane, Maharashtra, is a grandmothers’ school, or Aajibaichi Shala. Elderly women from the village, aged between 50 and 90, dress in a uniform of pink sarees and attend two hours of school every day from 2 pm to 4 pm, where they learn how to read and write, and do basic arithmetic.
It was set up by Yogendra Bangar, a local teacher, and the Motiram Dalal Charitable Trust. and opened on March 8, 2016.
In a country where women are already underprivileged when it comes to educational opportunities, elderly women are even worse off.
No wonder the school for grannies has been a huge success. The women have been provided uniforms and school bags containing slate-boards, chalk and textbooks by the charity. Around 30 women enthusiastically attend school every day, where they’re taught by 30-year-old Sheetal More.
“Earlier I used to just put my thumbprint on bank documents. But now I can sign my own name – imagine that! It feels really good. The next time I go to the bank, the officials there will be so impressed,” said Yashoda Kedar, one of the students, to DW.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!