Imphal, March 16: "After a gap of long years, we are able to attend classes.

Now we can read and write.

We can go to schools with our friends," said some girl students who are being given education under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan scheme.

These students have been participating in the residential camp for Imphal East girl students, particularly for the children who have dropped out from schools, who have failed in exams on more than one occasion and who have been unable to attend classes regularly.

The five day camp organised under SSA and which began on March 12 at Sports Hostel, Khuman Lampak was participated by 60 such students of Imphal East district.

14 year old Sangita of Sugnu but presently staying at Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal who participated in the camp said "Since my early childhood, I always dreamt of becoming a nurse but the extreme poverty of my family forced me to give up schooling after standard V.Now after a gap of six long years, I'm enrolled at Class V again under SSA and I feel my cherished dream of becoming a nurse may be fulfilled.

"SSA is a boon to us who have been denied education even as we want to go to schools as much as any child," Sangita remarked while conveying her desire that the scheme be properly implemented for a longer period.

Another 14 year old girl, Melody from Chalou said that after her mother expired when she was a small kid, she dropped out from school just after completing Class II.

Out of four siblings born to her parents, Melody is the second child.

Her parents have no family property, she said adding that her father works as a labourer doing whatever works come his way.

"Under SSA, I'm given the opportunity to start schooling anew from Class II," Melody said with joy beaming over her face adding that she always nurtured the hope to get herself well educated and to serve society.

"I want to become a doctor when I grow up and treat my ailing mother.

Then I will call back my mother, expelled from our home by father," said 9 year old Laxmi from Keirao with a note of strong confidence.

Even though Laxmi was studying at Class III at Irilbung Primary School, she could not attend classes regularly.

As such she is being given education under SSA.

With her mother staying away from home and her father being an alcoholic, it was impossible for Laxmi to go to school regularly.

The high hopes of Jyotibala of Yairipok Angtha was shattered to pieces after the expiry of her father and she was left with no means to continue with her schooling.

With her family now shifting to a place in Imphal East district and the benefits of SSA extended to her, Jyotibala is now going ahead with her ambition to become an ideal teacher.

"With my family unable to afford me education, I was compelled to drop out from school just after Class II.

My father is a poor labourer while my mother helps him weaving baskets", said 14 year old Chaning Maring from Phunal Maring village.

"Fuelled by my desire to get education, I'm now a student under SSA.

My parents have no objection provided I don't demand money from them for my education", Chaning conveyed.

To a question regarding the lessons they learnt during the camp, the girls were of the same opinion that girls need to be educated, well-disciplined and aware of the social norms.

The girls were also imparted awareness on HIV/AIDS, anatomy and biology of their (women) body, training on different vocations and lessons on winning self-confidence.

The campers remarked that the duration of the camp was too short and it should have been atleast 10 days.

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