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Scholarships, student grants and interest-free loans and installments for education by different universities, educational boards and governmental and private agencies have increased significantly over the last decade or so. Many students from underprivileged but respectable families here were able to capitalise on the same and pursue higher education this way.
Although there are a number of scholarships being offered these days, not everyone can get one easily. Kareem, a 21-year-old student doing his graduation, feels that it is almost impossible for a poor student to get excellent grades to be considered for a scholarship while being burdened by his family’s problems.
“I have to buy medicines for my ailing father and take him for checkups from time to time. My mother works as a housemaid and I do odd jobs as well. I would think a hundred times before even applying for a scholarship. The application form for the scholarship costs Rs100 and my mother works hard to save every single rupee,” he shared one day.
Although Kareem was later able to find someone to sponsor his education, not everyone is so lucky. With life’s problems serving as distractions for a worried student, it is highly unlikely for him to get top grades, and eventually a scholarship that’ll secure his future.
Many middleclass families working hard to make both ends meet would ensure that their children pursue quality education and careers. Mansoor, 32, is now a businessman. He would help his parents during his high school days by running a tuition centre. “My parents worked very hard and made sure that I get the best possible education. The hunger for good grades instilled in me by them also made me realise that school and college education only was not enough and better grades required expensive private tuitions from high profile college teachers. I started tutoring students of primary school along with doing a few odd jobs and continued that for the next 12 years or so.”
Cases like Mansoor’s where one simply cannot avoid working or doing odd jobs in order to continue with one’s education can be a stressful thing for a student.
Dr Idrees, 28, is the sole earning member in his family. He worked every night in a 12-hour shift at a local hospital, taking off on alternative Sundays. He is currently completing his MBA in Health Management from a local university by studying on weekends.
Things are pretty good for Salma, 24, who is currently doing her second internship in a few months. Enrolled in a Master’s programme, she wants to shoulder her family’s burden in whatever way she can. “With the little money I make I buy books for myself, buy small gifts for my parents and take my siblings out for ice-cream,” she beams.
Sana, 24, works at a local tuition centre as a Biology instructor. She is also enrolled in an MSc programme at a local university. “Initially, when I joined the centre my reason was only to be able to purchase my own clothes and stuff and be less of a burden on my parents. But since last year I also starting saving up a little. I feel responsible now. Somehow, I have started valuing every rupee of my hard-earned money. After my Master’s, I plan to take responsibility for a student who might not be that well-off like me and will ensure that he or she gets proper education without any hassles,” she concludes thoughtfully.
Earning while learning may mean various things for individuals coming from different backgrounds. Their motives and reasons may also be different. Those completely dependent on the money which they earn might have to accept any job offer that comes their way. However, those doing it for reasons other than helping themselves and their families may even let go of a few offers in order to get their own terms and conditions.
Whatever the reason, earning while learning promises good experience for every individual. Be it an odd job, some online assignments, an internship or even a regular shift job, you get to learn a lot. And the same experience would later also enrich your resume, promoting you as someone who can work under all conditions, while improving your chances of getting hired.
