In the midst of a pandemic, when many schools across the country put pressure on parents to pay up their kids’ school fees or risk being prevented from accessing online classes, here’s an example from “Maximum City” Mumbai that such schools can take a lesson from.
Shirley Udayakumar Panikker, Principal of the Powai English High School (PEHS), instead of warning students to pay the fees else they will not be able to attend online classes, has paid the fees of over 200 needy students of her school, raising funds for the same. Realizing the plight of her pandemic-affected students who could not pay their fees, Shirley Udayakumar Panikker saved one whole academic year of needy students whose parents lost their jobs, by raising Rs 40 lakh via corporates and NGOs. This Rs 40 lakh was raised over a period of five months with the help of community newspapers. She also tried to reach out to a wider audience via social media and the funds will now take care of 200 students’ annual fees.
Several parents are thankful to Shirley Panikker for saving an academic year of their kids which would not have been possible otherwise. This pandemic has taken the world by storm, with people not only losing their lives, but several losing their jobs. In such a scenario, several students from economically weaker sections could no longer pay their fees and were on the verge of discontinuing their studies.
Such a scenario stirred the heart of Shirley Panikker who’s a firm believer of Lord Krishna and she initiated her novel attempt. “I noticed that many children were not present in online classes out of fear that they would be asked about the payment of fees which their parents, having lost their jobs or not getting salaries as before, couldn’t pay. Many students also couldn’t attend as internet, which is the most required thing in today’s online education scenario, is a luxury and unaffordable to them. I felt that if they were not helped now, it will be a big loss to society and our country! As Bacchey Padhengey toh Desh Aagey Badhega!!! Beti Bachao Beti Padhao!!! After which, I started sending appealing to corporates and NGOs and God has been kind that funds started pouring in. Many senior citizens and individuals came forward to help us,” Shirley Panikker said.
A parent of one of the kids whose fees were paid by Shirley Panikker, said Shirley Panikker has come as a saviour sent by god to them; other said given the difficult situation for them as they earn hand to mouth, Panikker’s initiative has helped their kids’ studies as they are otherwise bright in their studies, but couldn’t have continued studies without her help.
Rohit Upadhyay, a delivery boy at Pizza Hut, said that a pay cut due to limited hours of work, has made it difficult for him to pay the fees for his two kids, one studying in a college and the other in the Powai English High School. The college refused to give concession in fees in view of his weak economic condition.
Shirley Udayakumar Panikker made it possible by raising almost Rs 30,000 for Upadhyay’s son, Sarthak Upadhyay. “I requested Shirley Madam after which she called us and asked us to fill a form and informed us that his payment of fees was done. No one in the whole of Mumbai is doing such noble work. When I requested my other daughter’s college to give some concession, they didn’t give any and instead asked us to pay as soon as possible, else she will lose her year; Shirley Madam again helped!”
Pranav Nair, a class 9 student from the Powai English High School, wishes to join civil services. He always comes first in class, but his father doesn’t earn much as a driver. “Shirley Madam” didn’t only pay his fees, but also half of the fees of his sister Praveena. “I didn’t want my kids to suffer as my husband couldn’t earn much in this pandemic. Both are bright students and have always ranked first in class; somehow, Shirley Madam helped support us and today both are continuing their studies,” said Uma Prakash, Pranav Nair’s mother.