Former brick kiln labourer cracks DSC exam, secures teacher job

As a child, Vijayalakshmi used to help her father at work in a brick kiln, but she overcame all challenges, and has now landed the job of a secondary grade teacher, inspiring many.

Mancherial: Avulamari Vijayalakshmi will soon be writing on a blackboard with the same hands that once used to make bricks in a brick kiln.

As a child, Vijayalakshmi used to help her father at work in a brick kiln, but she overcame all challenges, and has now landed the job of a secondary grade teacher (SGT), inspiring many. Hailing from remote Kethanapalli village in Vemanapalli mandal, Vijayalakshmi was determined to achieve a government job, but faced perennial adversities. She had no option but to work at brick kilns considering the abject poverty of her parents. While her father Nagaiah is also a brick kiln worker, an illiterate brother and dropout sibling were daily-wage earners. Her mother is a homemaker.

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She used to attend school for only three days a week. On the other days, she would mould bricks and perform other tasks assigned by her employer at the brick kiln during to support her family. She drew the attention of one her teachers Kalyani by performing well in studies though she could not attend important classes till Class IX. The gritty Vijayalakshmi showed resilience by scoring a 9.5 GPA in Class X with the help of encouragement and support of Kalyani. She then pursued a Diploma Teachers Education course at a college in Peddapalli district before graduating from Kakatiya University in distance mode. She appeared for the District Selection Committee (DSC) in 2018, but could not get a teacher job.

However, this 28-year-old won accolades from her villagers and teachers after being selected as a teacher in her second attempt by registering the 67th rank in the recently conducted DSC in the district.

“I realized the goal I dreamed of since childhood. However, I would like to become a Sub-Inspector by shining in physical efficiency tests and written examinations,” Vijayalakshmi told ‘Telangana Today.’

“My daughter is pursuing post-graduation in general surgery, while my son is studying M Tech at an IIT-Hyderabad. However, the success of Vijayalakshmi is something special,” a proud Kalyani remarked, commenting on the success of her student.

“My teacher played a vital role in my achievement. She extended moral support and motivated me when my confidence was low,” Vijayalakshmi acknowledged Kalyani’s support.