A Mumbai mother and her young daughter study in the same school, inspiring their neighbourhood. Married young, the woman returned to education and now prepares for SSC exams while juggling household duties and motherhood, with strong family and school support
Gaushiya Shaikh has pasted notes all around her house so she can revise while doing the chores. Pic/Aditi Alurkar
A mother-daughter duo from the western suburbs have been the talk of their locality for studying in the same school. While the mother, Gaushiya Shaikh, heads to her Std X classroom, the daughter, Zainab, skips off to the pre-primary section. And, when it comes to PTA meetings, Gaushiya attends Zainab’s, while her in-laws are present at hers.
Every afternoon, Gaushiya, who was married off at a very young age, steps out of her burqa into a school uniform, with two braids, and walks to the neighbouring school with Zainab. “At first, my in-laws were sceptical of this move, but now they, along with my husband, come to every PTA meet,” said Gaushiya, who proudly sports the class monitor badge as she strolls around the school premises.
Gaushiya Shaikh and her daughter, Zainab, who study in the same school
Like other students, Gaushiya has been burning the midnight oil before the SSC board exams, scheduled to be held from February 20 to March 18, 2026, though her days are different from those of her classmates, as she has to juggle household and parental responsibilities, apart from attending classes regularly.
Education interuption
Owing to the hardships and financial struggles faced by her maternal family, Gaushiya only finished her schooling up to Std VIII at a local school in the eastern suburbs. Later, the young girl was married off.
“I was promised that I would be able to complete my education after marriage. After my wedding in March, the pandemic began looming over us. The lockdown took away a couple of years from my education, and then I had my daughter. When I went to enrol her into a neighbourhood school, I realised this was a good opportunity for me to get back to academics,” she told mid-day.
Gaushiya’s teachers, peers, and mentors remain amazed by her academic performance. Last year, she was the Std IX class topper. She seems taken in by skills like carpentry and electrical skills, taught as vocational subjects, and basic first aid, inching closer towards her aim of becoming a doctor.
“When I was younger, my grandfather, a diabetic, would keep falling sick, and we would frequent the government hospitals. I saw how the doctors would tend to patients. Sometimes they would be very brusque with us. I hope to practise medicine and change that,” says Gaushiya.
The student wakes up at 6 am daily to attend to household chores, and heads to school in the afternoon. Once she returns, she spends some time with her family, cooks, eats dinner, and stays up till 3 am to catch up on her studies. Like her mother, Zainab, too, has a keen interest in school and sits beside Gaushiya for a while, completing her homework.
Despite her difficult circumstances, Gaushiya has never been a subject of bullying by her peers. In fact, being older than them makes them look up to her. Between classes or during breaks, Gaushiya’s trusted pals help her babysit.
“When Gaushiya and her husband were here for her admission, we informed them about external exams and Form 17. However, she was determined to be a part of the schooling ecosystem, and we tried to help her,” said a school authority on the condition of anonymity.
Multiple skills
Gaushiya has learnt the workings of an electrical switchboard, how to repair a washing machine, and mend broken wires, and proudly takes home all the knowledge to tackle any household issues. Her husband is employed as a gig worker, and her in-laws are satisfied to see the young woman’s progress. “It is nice to see Gaushiya studying. We will encourage her to go as far as she wants to,” said Abdul Rehman Shaikh, her father-in-law.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
