Beula Gabriel: Transforming lives of poor through education

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” said by Mahatma Gandhi way back, is practiced by Beula Gabriel, principal of St Joseph’s Secondary School in East Marredpally of Secunderabad.

This 77-year-old woman started St Joseph’s Secondary School (SJSS) here in 1993 with one aim – to provide education to underprivileged children, many of them first-generation learners in their families. Beula made many sacrifices in the last 25 years, including selling her house to pay for school building’s rent and infrastructure. Such was her dedication. She has been instrumental in establishing almost 13 schools and develop them to the present status without expecting anything in return.

She worked in Delhi for five years as an Assistant Professor in an Intermediate college. When she returned to Hyderabad in the early 90s, she shared her dream with her husband. Her only dream was to provide education for children of lower income group – like maids, rickshaw-pullers, labourers, watchmen and others who are financially weak. She started the school in 1993 with only 220 students and negligible fees.

There was no obligatory or fixed fee structure. Only those who could afford paid the fees, and the rest either studied for free or got a concession. “Out of 75 admissions in 2018, parents of only two children paid full fees, while the rest got concessions based on their financial status”, said Beula.
Beula says, “Most schools conduct entrance test for admissions, but SJSS has a different policy; no student has ever been turned away for failing pnentrance tests. We conduct tests only to assess the potential of students and place them at appropriate levels. In fact, we prioritise students who have been rejected from other schools, whether for academic, physical or social reasons.”

Beula and her school have transformed lives of many children over the years. She narrates an incident when one of her students (currently working in Australia)visited her and she asked him about his migration to Australia and the employment, he replied, “I can speak fluent English.” H. Rani, a tenth-standard student says, “Until class V, I used to study in a government school where teachers did not speak English, nor did they encourage us to.

It’s only because of SJSS that I’am able to speak English fluently.” “…And all the credit goes to the teachers”, continued Beula. “We have very dedicated and sincere teachers here at SJSS. Realising the cause of running this school, they work hard, sometimes even without getting salaries on time. Some of them even stay back after school to give free tuitions to average-scorers. They are very patient”, she added. “Many parents don’t approach school management because they cannot speak in English. I’ve learned Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam along with Hindi and English to interact better with them and making them comfortable. I love to learn Indian languages”, said Gabriel.

Being a postgraduate herself, she firmly believes that a graduate must be the minimum qualification of every person in India with a fluency in English. She says 99 per cent of her students are now graduates, most of them being doctors, engineers, nurses, financial advisors, and teachers.
SJSS is the result of the hardships she has gone through, and the sacrifices she has made. Her husband was always there to support her in all walks of her life. “He gave me the money he had saved for so many years to open and run this school.

I made it clear in the beginning that this school will not be a money-making building, rather it will be a life-making one, and he agreed to it.” She described him as an intelligent and highly qualified person and a great human being. “There’s a man behind my success unlike the quote which states that there’s a woman behind a man’s success”, she added.

Speaking about the present government schools in rural areas of India, she said, “It is a crime to pay such high salaries to teachers who do absolutely nothing in devising a child’s future.” Her parents had started St. Andrews in 1985, but she opted out of the management because she was stern on not turning the school into a money-making business. She wanted to start a school where she could bring children from all walks of life – from the richest to the neediest, from highly-educated families to first-time school-goers.

Her students who grew up in bastis are now living in posh colonies and abroad, in countries like America, Australia, and England. Victoria, the Head Mistress of the school said, “She is the role model of my life. Her spirituality and faith in God are what I adore the most.” Vishal, Head Boy of the school said, “She shares at least one inspirational thought every day which motivates us to work harder and do the best for our future.”

“She is a very kind lady and I like to talk to her every day”, said a class IV student. On asking about what keeps her so active at work even at 77, she replied, “My work is my passion, and I love my profession.” “Good education is your only salvation”, said Beula, as she concludes the interview.

BY Asna Khundmiri