A Positive Transformation in Sabirun’s Life Through Adult Education

 

Today, Sabirun can confidently recognize letters and read simple words. When she goes to the market, she tries to read the prices of items herself. She has also begun to understand the importance of education for her children. Tasks that once seemed extremely difficult for her have now become a source of confidence and happiness. This positive transformation became possible after she joined the adult education programme.

Sabirun is a resident of Kathiraon village in Baragaon block of Varanasi district. She comes from a simple and economically disadvantaged family. During her childhood, family responsibilities and difficult circumstances prevented her from attending school. Much of her early life was spent doing household work and labour. She was married at a young age and soon became occupied with managing household responsibilities and family life.

Over time, her desire to study faded under the weight of daily responsibilities. However, deep within, the wish to learn never completely disappeared.

A new opportunity emerged when adult literacy activities were initiated in the village under the Shiksha Plus Programme, an initiative of the Shiv Nadar Foundation (SNF) and implemented by Jan Mitra Nyas (JMN). The programme aims to provide learning opportunities to individuals who missed the chance to receive formal education during childhood.

As part of this initiative, community educator Halima visited households in the village to inform people about the programme and encourage them to join the learning sessions. When Sabirun heard about the opportunity, she felt hopeful that she too might finally learn to read and write.

When the classes began in the village, Sabirun joined them with enthusiasm. She made sure to finish her household chores early so that she could attend the learning sessions regularly.

In the beginning, recognizing and writing letters was not easy for her. However, she remained determined and continued practicing. With regular effort, group support, and guidance from Halima, she gradually learned to recognize letters. Soon she was able to write her name and read simple words.

Now when Sabirun goes to the shop, she tries to read the prices of items herself. This small change has brought a great sense of confidence and joy into her life.

The impact of adult education is also visible within her family. Sabirun has become more aware of the importance of education and actively encourages her children to attend school regularly. She now understands that education is an important pathway to a better future.

Sabirun’s story shows that with the right opportunity and guidance, education can begin at any stage of life. Adult education not only improves literacy but also builds confidence, awareness, and the path toward self-reliance.

Analysis: Adult Literacy, Vibrant Citizenship, and the Sustainable Development Goals

The life stories of Zaitoon, Renu Devi, Radhika, and Sabirun demonstrate how access to adult education can transform the lives of women from marginalized communities. Through the Shiksha Plus Programme—an initiative of the Shiv Nadar Foundation (SNF) implemented by Jan Mitra Nyas (JMN)—these women have gained basic literacy skills, renewed confidence, and the ability to participate more actively in their families and communities.

A key outcome of these stories is the emergence of vibrant citizenship. Vibrant citizenship refers to the ability of individuals to actively engage with society, exercise their rights, and contribute to the well-being of their communities. Literacy empowers women to understand information, manage finances, read documents, and support their children’s education. As seen in these stories, women who once depended entirely on others are now beginning to make independent decisions and participate more confidently in social life.

For example:

• Zaitoon gained confidence in managing wages and daily transactions after learning basic numeracy.

• Renu Devi demonstrated determination and resilience by continuing her learning journey even during pregnancy and motherhood.

• Radhika became more aware of the importance of education and now actively supports her children’s schooling.

• Sabirun began reading prices in markets and encouraging her children to attend school regularly.

These transformations highlight how adult education strengthens self-confidence, agency, and social awareness, which are essential elements of vibrant citizenship.

The outcomes of these initiatives also align closely with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

SDG 4 – Quality Education:

The programme provides learning opportunities for adults who missed formal schooling, promoting inclusive and equitable quality education.

SDG 5 – Gender Equality:

By empowering women with literacy and confidence, the initiative helps reduce gender inequalities in access to education and decision-making.

SDG 1 – No Poverty:

Basic literacy and numeracy enable women to better manage resources, understand wages, and make informed economic decisions.

SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being:

Education increases awareness about health, nutrition, and family well-being, which is reflected in the improved outlook of participants and their families.

SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities:

The programme specifically reaches marginalized communities such as the Musahar community and economically disadvantaged households, helping bridge social and educational gaps.

Overall, these stories illustrate that adult literacy is not only about learning to read and write—it is about restoring dignity, strengthening confidence, and enabling marginalized individuals to become active and responsible citizens. By connecting education with empowerment, the Shiksha Plus Programme contributes to building more inclusive, equitable, and vibrant communities.

सबिरून के जीवन में आया सकारात्मक परिवर्तन

आज सबिरून आत्मविश्वास के साथ अक्षरों को पहचानकर पढ़-लिख सकती हैं। दुकान पर सामान खरीदते समय वे उसके दाम पढ़ने की कोशिश करती हैं और अपने बच्चों की पढ़ाई के महत्व को भी समझने लगी हैं। जो काम कभी उनके लिए बहुत कठिन लगता था, वही आज उनके जीवन में आत्मविश्वास और खुशी का कारण बन गया है। यह सकारात्मक परिवर्तन प्रौढ़ शिक्षा कार्यक्रम से जुड़ने के बाद संभव हो पाया है।

सबिरून, वाराणसी जिले के ब्लॉक बड़ागांव के ग्राम कठिरांव की निवासी हैं। वे एक साधारण और आर्थिक रूप से कमजोर परिवार से आती हैं। बचपन में पारिवारिक परिस्थितियों और घरेलू जिम्मेदारियों के कारण उन्हें पढ़ने-लिखने का अवसर नहीं मिल सका। कम उम्र में ही उनका बचपन घर के काम और मजदूरी करते हुए बीत गया। बाल्यावस्था में ही उनकी शादी कर दी गई, जिसके बाद वे गृहस्थ जीवन और परिवार की जिम्मेदारियों में व्यस्त हो गईं।

समय के साथ उनकी पढ़ने की इच्छा धीरे-धीरे दब गई, लेकिन मन के किसी कोने में शिक्षा प्राप्त करने की चाह हमेशा बनी रही।

इसी दौरान गांव में शिक्षा प्लस कार्यक्रम के अंतर्गत प्रौढ़ शिक्षा से संबंधित सर्वे और सीखने की गतिविधियाँ शुरू की गईं। यह कार्यक्रम Shiv Nadar Foundation (SNF) की पहल है और Jan Mitra Nyas (JMN) द्वारा लागू किया जा रहा है। इस कार्यक्रम का उद्देश्य उन लोगों को पढ़ना-लिखना सिखाना है जिन्हें बचपन में शिक्षा प्राप्त करने का अवसर नहीं मिला।

इस पहल के तहत जन शिक्षक हलीमा गांव में घर-घर जाकर लोगों को कार्यक्रम के बारे में जानकारी दे रही थीं और उन्हें पढ़ाई से जुड़ने के लिए प्रेरित कर रही थीं। जब सबिरून को इस कार्यक्रम के बारे में पता चला, तो उनके मन में एक नई उम्मीद जगी कि अब उन्हें भी पढ़ने-लिखने का अवसर मिल सकता है।

जब गांव में सीखने की कक्षाएँ शुरू हुईं, तो सबिरून ने पूरे उत्साह के साथ उनमें भाग लेना शुरू किया। वे अपने घर के सभी काम पहले ही निपटा लेती थीं ताकि समय पर कक्षा में शामिल हो सकें।

शुरुआत में अक्षरों को पहचानना और लिखना उनके लिए आसान नहीं था, लेकिन उन्होंने हार नहीं मानी। लगातार अभ्यास, समूह के सहयोग और जन शिक्षक हलीमा के मार्गदर्शन से धीरे-धीरे उन्होंने अक्षरों को पहचानना शुरू कर दिया। कुछ समय बाद वे अपना नाम लिखने लगीं और शब्दों को जोड़कर पढ़ना-लिखना भी सीखने लगीं।

अब जब वे दुकान पर सामान लेने जाती हैं, तो उसके दाम पढ़ने की कोशिश करती हैं। यह छोटा सा बदलाव भी उनके जीवन में आत्मविश्वास और खुशी का कारण बन गया है।

प्रौढ़ शिक्षा का सकारात्मक प्रभाव उनके परिवार पर भी दिखाई देने लगा है। अब सबिरून अपने बच्चों की पढ़ाई के प्रति अधिक जागरूक हो गई हैं और उन्हें नियमित रूप से विद्यालय जाने के लिए प्रेरित करती हैं। वे समझ चुकी हैं कि शिक्षा जीवन में आगे बढ़ने का एक महत्वपूर्ण साधन है।

सबिरून की कहानी यह दर्शाती है कि यदि अवसर और सही मार्गदर्शन मिले, तो किसी भी उम्र में शिक्षा प्राप्त की जा सकती है। प्रौढ़ शिक्षा केवल साक्षरता बढ़ाने का माध्यम नहीं है, बल्कि यह आत्मविश्वास, जागरूकता और आत्मनिर्भरता की दिशा में एक महत्वपूर्ण कदम भी है।