Newly established plus two campuses in the inner-Madhes area of the district have proved to be boon for the girls who had dropped out after marriage.

After the local secondary school started offering plus-two education, the numbers of girls opting for higher studies has gone up substantially. Urmila Magar of Atilal VDC-5 is continuing her studies as well as performing the role of a daughter-in-law.

Magar had to discontinue her studies after her marriage as there was no any college nearby and the family would not let her go far from home to attend college. But higher studies became possible for Magar after Durga Secondary School nearby started plus two classes.

Like Magar, Hira Bohara of Shirsha VDC 7 has also enrolled in the college after a five-year gap. “I feel lucky as I can now pursue higher studies,” said Bohra.

There are over a half-dozen plus-two colleges in the inner-Madhes area of the district. “Higher education has gradually become accessible to all and this has led to increase in the enrollment of female drop outs,” said Ramesh Paneru, a local.

According to Paneru, girls have outnumbered boys in the local higher education institutions recently. Siddanath Chandani College situated at Jogbuda-3, which started last year, has more girls.

“Girls, who could not continue their studies after SLC, are now enrolling for higher studies,” said Laxmi Awasthi, a teacher in the school. “Married girls have been benefited the most,” she added. Most of the girls enrolled in the college are married.

Parents, reluctant to send daughter-in-laws to colleges far away from home to pursue higher studies, are also happy with the opening of new plus-two colleges in their own villages. “We are happy to send our daughter-in-laws to college,” said Raisingh Dhami, a local. According to the District Education Office, over 400 female students are enrolled in six plus-two colleges and a campus in the district.

source:republica,25 August 2012