New doors open for Tihar inmates

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Surjit Singh, a 30-year-old prisoner from UP, is an under trial in Tihar Jail for the past six months, but that is not the end of the road for him, as new doors of learning have opened up for him behind bars. “I was an illiterate, but now I can write my name, write letters to my family and can read messages on billboards. Once I’m out, it will make my life easy,” adds Surjit.
And it’s not only Surjit who has found a ray of hope. The entire education system in Tihar jail took a leap ahead as the first batch of 161 students appeared for examinations recently. The drive is a part of the ‘Padho aur padhao’ scheme, launched by Tihar authorities in collaboration with National Literacy Mission Programme of the HRD Ministry and National Institutes of Open School.
There are two levels of exams — A and B. Those who pass level A, apply for level B and are provided certificates. After enrolling for primary education, 26-year-old Amit Kumar is now motivated to renew his passion of being a poet again. “Although I couldn’t write and read, I would spend hours listening to Ghalib’s poetry on radio. Through these classes I learnt to write my name. My favourite subject is Hindi, as I’m interested in poetry. Once I’m out of here, I will try my best to establish myself as a poet,” adds Amit.
Jail No. 3 is the main education hub and there are small counterparts in all other jails of Tihar. This initiative has also encouraged inmates to volunteer as teachers and they are paid as well. “Although the education system has been there since 1994, the scheme is only for uneducated people. The programme has really picked up well and has motivated many inmates,” says Sandeep Singh aka Guddu, an inmate, who teaches Economics, Hindi and computers to students.
There is a basic course at every education center, which includes education till Class 3. Exams are twice a year and students who score more that 40 percent graduate to the next level. With basic knowledge of Hindi, English and Maths, the subjects offered include Political Science, Chemistry, Computers and Biology, according to the ability and interest of the students. Later, the students are also enrolled in certificate, degree and diploma courses affiliated to IGNOU.
“People here come from different backgrounds and are sometimes frustrated, angry and guilty. It requires a lot of effort to strengthen their willpower and motivate them to study. We have counselling centers for the same,” says Sandeep. Recently, a few students appeared for the IAS exam for the first time.
Vir Lal Mathur, an inmate from Bihar, aspires to be an accountant. “When I was a child, my father lost his both arms while working in a mining factory. Since then, I’ve been working. It’s like a rebirth. I can read my mother’s name, my father’s name and know my date of birth. I want to learn Maths and be an accountant.”
“Earlier inmates would make fun of me about joining the primary classes and even I used to feel shy about attending them. But now I’m enjoying it so much that I make sure not to miss a single lesson,” he concludes.