Be her backbone, she will make you stand still.

I #GiveToGain a world where no girl has to compromise on her education, no matter what happens in her life. I continued my own studies after marriage while raising my two daughters. From secondary school to university level, I have seen many girls forced to give up their education due to financial, social, or religious pressures, especially after marriage.

That is why I chose to become a teacher. Through my life journey and struggles, I try to motivate my students to believe that education is their right and their strength. I give my time, care, knowledge, and sometimes even financial help, because I believe that education can change not only individual lives but also society as a whole.

Even in this modern era, girl children are not always welcomed. In some places, they are neglected and deprived of their basic needs. Whenever a father faces hardship in maintaining the family or has to reduce family expenses, it eventually affects the girls in the family. In most cases, it hampers their studies, as many people think education is less important than daily necessities.

Sumaya Akter is the second child of her parents. Her mother gave birth to three daughters. Her father is a small businessman. He can hardly manage all the family expenses besides the study costs of his two elder daughters.

Sumaya's elder sister used to come to my husband for math tuition. After she passed the SSC exam, she was admitted to a girls' college for an HSC degree. Meanwhile, she introduced Sumaya to us, who was then a class six student.

Sometimes in my free time, I went to the room where my husband used to give tuition. I tried to solve some math problems as I was preparing for a job examination. There I found that Sumaya was a talented, God-gifted child. She was hardworking too. She never missed any lesson. She stood first in the class seven final exam.

One day she told me that her elder sister was married off. I asked, “Why? Didn’t she finish her studies?” She replied, “No, ma’am. But my father told us that the boy was very good, and he couldn't bear the cost of our studies.” I felt sad and helpless, but I let it go as it was their family matter.

Luckily, Sumaya's elder sister could continue her studies as her in-laws agreed to that. But suddenly Sumaya stopped coming for math tuition. I told my husband to find out the reason. At that time, I was a fourth-year honours student in English Language and Literature.

My husband later told me that Sumaya might not be able to continue her studies, as her father could not bear the cost.

I was very sad because she was a potential student and she must have a bright future. I thought for some days and then told my husband that I wanted to talk to her father. Her father came the next day, and I asked about their problems regarding Sumaya’s study.

He replied that he was not against their studies. He just couldn’t afford the cost of school fees and tuition fees. I further asked, “If we could reduce these costs, can you permit Sumaya to continue her study?”

He replied with a smile and full of gratitude, “It would be great.”

“Ok, we just need to apply for a half or full free studentship to the headmaster of her school. You don’t need to pay my husband for math tuition, and I will guide her English for free. So, problem solved,” I said to him.

He was happy and said that Sumaya would come from the next day. I became very happy to see Sumaya the next day. She was very grateful to us.

Thus, days passed and I realized that I didn’t have to spend so much time or effort on her. She used to complete all the lessons by herself and just came to me when she was stuck on something or had some grammatical issues.

The next year, she passed the final exam of class eight. She got GPA-5 (A+) and the first position as well. Then the time came when she had to choose a section (Science, Arts, or Commerce). I asked her about her preference.

She replied, “Ma’am, I want to take Science, but my father won’t agree to this.”

I also wanted her to take Science, as she was a brilliant student. I told her that I would talk to her father about this.

Her father came, and I asked about his decision. He told me that he wished to make his daughter a doctor, but it might be very costly for him. So, he was worried about what she should choose.

I replied, “I also want her to take Science. That’s why I requested a teacher to give her tuition in Physics and Chemistry at a lower cost. He agreed to take 800($8) taka from her, though he usually takes 1600($16) taka for these two subjects.”

“Besides, we will help her with English and Math for free, like before, until her HSC exam. Even Sumaya told me that she can handle the rest of the subjects. So there will be no issue,” I added.

Her father at first didn’t agree to take this favour for a long time. But he agreed when I assured him that Sumaya is like a sister to me, and it will be my best reward if she can succeed in her goal of becoming a doctor.

Thus, Sumaya chose Science and passed her SSC with a GPA-5 (A+) in 2022. She also got GPA-5 (A+) in her HSC in 2024.

After the HSC exam, most students usually get admitted to coaching centers, especially those who want to become doctors or engineers. But Sumaya wanted to study at home on her own. Sometimes she called us if there was any issue or if she got stuck somewhere.

For a long time, we didn’t get any news from Sumaya. I was also busy with my own studies and my family. Suddenly, one evening, I received a call, and it was Sumaya’s father. He was crying. I asked him what had happened.

Then he said, “Madam, Sumaya has been selected for a medical college.”

I got emotional and literally started crying. Almost 6 years of her hardwork and our efforts finally got the reward. He also added, “My daughter is going to be a doctor. I can’t believe it. This is a huge respect for me.”

Now, Sumaya is doing her M.B.B.S at Khulna Medical College. Whenever I meet her father, he respects us very much and shows his gratitude. One day, Sumaya along with her father came to my house with sweets. She got emotional and said that she could not have done that much without us. She might have had to leave her studies long before. She also told that she will bear all the study cost of her younger sister.

Her father said that she is not only his daughter, but also the daughter of this community. She will come back after her studies and serve here as a doctor.

So, this is Sumaya, who was almost dropped out of school but is now going to be a doctor soon. There are some other stories like this. I will share them later.

There are so many girls and women like these around us. We can help them in different ways. If we are financially stable, we can provide them financial aid. We can also give our time, knowledge, and advice to them. Even one piece of counseling can shape a life and bring bigger change to the community.

So, be her backbone, and she will make you stand still.