While many children are increasingly turning away from government schools these days, a 13-year-old girl from Mangaluru has happily joined one. Hawwa Naseema has enrolled to a government school in Malappuram of Kerala and what's more surprising is that she is the daughter of minister for urban development and housing UT Khader.
In June, the minister who has declared assets worth Rs 2.47 crores, pulled his child out of private school and admitted her to government girls high school at Manjeri in Malappuram district. "This decision was taken to keep her grounded to reality and in the interest of her all-round development," says Khader. Naseema had primary schooling in the Mangaluru's private schools. She studied in Yenapoya, Cambridge, Madrassathul Bayan, Adkathbail, a residential Madarsa in Pidya Kasargod (where she also did her regular schooling).
The the last two institutes, although infrastructure was bleak, Khader says, she made no complaint - be it the cold water baths, sleeping on the floor, common food, or transport vehicle for 10 km journey to school. She has been studying in the government school for two months now. "She thoroughly enjoys the company and 'bisi oota' there. She learns why midday meals are given and it helps develops humanity, a helping nature," he said. He saw discernible changes when she came back home to give eats to the helper first, before eating some herself.
He was confident of the standard of education in the school. -"Although infrastructure is minimal in schools, the enthusiasm of the teachers make up for it. Several students, he observed, come out with flying colours from many of these schools. Another reason for enrolling her in the school in Malappuram was its proximity to the Madarasa she stays in and studies the Quran.
The said Madarasa is said to be the best for girls. During her time at the previous Madrassathul Bayan, Adkathbail, a residential Madarsa in Pidya, Kasargod which has mostly poor and orphan students, Hawwa memorised the Quran. In 42 months, the 11-year-old was honoured 'Hafiza' for memorising all 114 chapters of the Quran.Khader says the education will help her stay down to earth no matter which country or university she goes to, and contribute to the society.
The minister himself had studied in private schools in the city throughout and addressed the superiority and inferiority complexes developing between students studying in private schools with English education and public schools without. He has sent his daughter to various schools to see the gap herself.
