US-returned couple teaches tribal girls

Vijaysinh Parmar/TNN/Surat: If you happen to be in the hilly area of Dharampur in Valsad district, don’t be surprised if you hear tribal girls singing famous Pocahontas’ song, “You think I am ignorant savage and you have been to many places”, in English. US-returned couple Aparna and Pankaj Kadikar and friends set up a residential school for tribal girls three years ago. Interestingly, in this ‘kedi’ school, priority for admissions is given to those girls who are rejected by other high schools or whose parents do not want their girls to study due to socio-economic reasons. Moreover, this school’s methods of teaching are different from conventional ones. “We decided not to encourage students traditional education which students cannot relate to their lives. We want to chart a new path,” says Aparna, who is an architect and worked in US for 20 years. Her husband Pankaj worked in corporate management sector in the US. Apart from studies, girls are also taught to operate computers, nursing, agriculture, sewing and zardosi work. “We want to build a strong foundation for them so that they can become independent,” says Jayant Desai, 74, a retired English teacher from Mumbai. English is compulsory in this school. So, from next year many girls will appear in class X board exams with English as subject.