Maharashtra: 209 students from children homes clear class XII exams

MUMBAI: Sangita (name changed), a 17-year-old victim of immoral trafficking, an inmate of Ulhasnagar Children Home, scored 90.28 per cent in class XII exams. She is among 209 students from the Children Homes across the state, who have cleared the HSC exam in 2021.
Sangita, who was in regular touch with her boyfriend two years before the Covid-19 pandemic, was being abused sexually by him and his family, located in the Thane district. During the first lockdown, while she was still in touch with her boyfriend, he took her to Bangalore, where she was forced to become a prostitute.
Meanwhile, her parents, also residents of Thane district, lodged a missing complaint with the Thane police, who after tracing her whereabouts, admitted her to the children's home.
Akshata Shinde, superintendent of the Children Home told TOI that they have provided counselling to her on a regular basis to assist her to come out of the trauma related to the experience.
"She was not able to express herself during her initial days at the Home. However, after a few counselling sessions, she started feeling comfortable talking with the counsellor and was able to share the horrific details. The counsellor could convince her to pursue her studies further. Her confidence boosted after appearing for the first paper," said Shinde.
An official also said that now Sangita has decided to complete her graduation.
Like Sangita, there are nearly 9,400 children, forced to live in the state-run and aided Children Homes across the state, for various reasons, of which 217 appeared for class XII exams and 209 were able to clear it. Of the 209 who could clear the exams, 67 are from Pune children's home and 30 from Mumbai. Two students scored above 90 per cent marks, while 34 students scored between 80-90 per cent, said project officer of the women and child development department, Aniruddha Patil.
Patil said students from the Children Homes appear for the exam every year but it was the first time more than 200 students cleared the exam scoring on an average 50-60 per cent. He added that the minister for the WCD Yashomati Thakur directed the department to concentrate and encourage these children to concentrate on their studies.
The state women and child development minister asserted that the department will help and guide these children for their further studies and rehabilitate them through skill development programmes.