Years after dropping out, 23 BMC employees clear SSC exams, earn a raise!

23 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) employees have become an inspiration for countless others after successfully clearing their SSC exams, years after dropping out of school.

According to a Mirror report, the group, including 21 men and two women, consisted of Class IV employees earning a salary of less than Rs 6,000 a month. They were employed with the civic body as sweepers, cleaners, repairmen etc.

Since clearing their SSC exams, the results of which were declared earlier this week, all 23 employees have earned a Rs 3,000 hike in their salaries. Their new educational qualification has also made them eligible for promotions.

While the staffers did their bit by working in the day and attending school at night, a part of their success can be attributed to Udaykumar Shiroorkar, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of B-ward.

Shiroorkar was the one who encouraged employees from his ward to take admission at Dongri Municipal Night School after learning that it was on the verge of shutting down due to lack of students. He even helped the staffers with filling the admission forms.

After securing admissions, each of the employees put in extra bit of work everyday, including Sundays, to ensure they were up to speed with their studies and home assignments. Many were also helped by their children.

For some, who were returning to studies after a gap of over 30 years, the biggest challenge was to mentally prepare for the task at hand. For others, managing work with school along with a long and tiring daily commute posed problems.

However, their hard work eventually paid off on Tuesday, when the results were announced. On Saturday, Shiroorkar organized a small party at Dongri Municipal school where each staffer was felicitated.

Spurred by their success, many of their colleagues have also shown interest in returning to school. At least 100 more employees are expected to appear for SSC exams next year.