Baijayanti Sahu, from Chhattisgarh’s Mahasamund district, was just 18 when she got married into a joint family. She had studied up to Grade 8 but had to drop out of school after she couldn't clear her Grade 9 exams.

Currently, she lives with her husband, four children—three daughters and a son—and 10 other family members, making it a household of 15. Baijayanti loves singing devotional songs and is popular in her village for her melodious voice.

In 2023, at the age of 38, a member of Pratham’s Second Chance team approached her during a mobilisation drive in her village. He explained to her how Pratham could help her resume her studies and complete Grade 10.

Initially, Baijayanti was hesitant to pursue further education as it had been 22 years since she dropped out of school. She felt her time was better spent supporting her children’s education and managing household chores. However, with repeated encouragement and motivation, she eventually agreed to enrol in the program.

Balancing her studies with household responsibilities was her biggest challenge. To manage, Baijayanti began waking up early, preparing meals for her family, and getting her children ready for school before heading to Pratham’s learning centre. In this way, she learned to manage her time efficiently.

At the centre, Baijayanti got the opportunity to express her thoughts during group activities, which boosted her confidence. She particularly enjoyed learning through discussions with her peers and the supportive environment fostered by her teachers encouraged her to keep pushing forward. With renewed determination, Baijayanti progressed steadily and, in 2024, successfully passed her Grade 10 exams with 59 per cent.

She credits the Second Chance program’s teaching methods, which she found accessible and effective, for helping her achieve this milestone. Now, Baijayanti is eager to continue her education and aims to complete Grade 12.

Baijayanti believes that if she could pass Grade 10 at the age of 38, she can inspire her children to follow their dreams and succeed. She is committed to supporting them in their learning journeys.

Her success has also inspired other women in the village, with some expressing interest in joining the Second Chance program themselves. Some even use Baijayanti’s story to motivate their own children to pursue education, which fills her with pride.