CHENNAI: Harini Priya B spent her summer holidays this year earning daily wages at an export company along with her mother.
Her resolve to save up and pursue higher education received a fillip on Monday when the Tamil Nadu class 12 examination results were released. With a score of 573, she is among the three girls from her school -- Girls Higher Secondary School, MH Road -- who have featured in the first five positions on the list of toppers from corporation schools in Chennai.
Girl students from corporation schools have managed to shine despite the overall pass percentage of corporation schools (87.1) continuing to remain below that of the state average (94.56).
Harini lost her father many years ago and has been living with her single mother. Her schoolmate Poongothai P, who scored 578 in the exam, has come first among all students in the corporation schools.
Poongothai’s father drives an autorickshaw in Kodungaiyur for a living. “I read John Green when I am not studying. I also write poems sometimes. But in the last six months, I’ve done nothing but study. I come from a family that is extremely supportive and so is my school. I did my best to make them proud,” she said.
Their headmistress, S Selvakumari, was elated with her students’ performance.
“Our students come from poor economic backgrounds and face a lot of struggles daily. I am happy that my teachers and I, with the guidance of the corporation, have been able to motivate the children. We help them achieve clarity of thought and get rid of inhibitions,” she added.
Another girl from the same school, Divya Shree V, also secured 573. Her father works as a security staff at a private bank.
Varshinee M from the Girls Higher Secondary School on Buddha Street bagged second place in the corporation toppers’ list with 575 marks. Her father, who lost his job during the Covid-19 pandemic, now sells nighties and other clothes door-to-door.
“My father is the sole breadwinner in our family, and he does not receive a consistent income every month. I want my family to reach a position where we no longer have to face financial uncertainty. I have decided to prepare for UPSC after securing a degree,” Varshinee said.
Her class teacher G Periasamy said, “As far as corporation schools are concerned, teachers will not only have to teach them from the syllabus. We also have to keep an eye on the student’s overall welfare. We always knew Varshinee would do well. She was also a topper in Class 10 exams.”