Our previous stories in our Captivating Village Development Program (CVP) about girls dropping out of school were mainly because of poverty and gender discrimination. Parbati’s* (14) story gave us a new perspective on the complexities of why some girls are staying out of school.
Like the other beneficiaries, Parbati was born into an underprivileged family. Her mother is the sole breadwinner of their household because her father ran away with another woman. Their resources are tight, and her mother could only provide her with necessities and educational support. So when she failed her examinations (one that would determine if she could move up to the next grade), she felt like it was the end of her world.
When we spoke with her, she had already decided that she wouldn’t continue her studies. Not even her mother can convince her. A little more time in our conversation, and she finally opened up. The reason why she did not want to be in school anymore is not that her mother cannot afford to support her, but because she felt a lot of shame lagging. She imagines sitting next to students who were younger than her, and she cannot handle that thought.
In Nepal, communities like hers are far more cruel to girls in whatever they do. It is very easy for people to see setbacks like Parbati’s as a personal failure instead of a complex and even systemic issue. Failing an examination is a common event in under-resourced schools. Since Parbati’s mother could not afford a tutor, all the brunt of the work was placed on the child.
In our counselling, we did not only speak with Parbati alone. With her mother in the room, we helped her realize that it is not the end of the world. Her feelings are validated because girls that age are extremely sensitive to social acceptance. Slowly, she learns that her problems are solvable, and we will be guiding her every step of the way.
Now, she will be re-enrolling for the next academic year, and we will keep an eye on her through it all.
*Name is changed for privacy.
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