Albeit late, the jail inmates in the state are realising the importance of education. After 193 of the jail inmates appeared in intermediate exams of UP Board, there are many more who are utilising their stay behind bars in pursuing higher education. Right from bachelor degrees to diplomas and certificate courses, these inmates are religiously pursuing their education. Around nine inmates from various jails in the state appeared for BA first-year exams held at the Model Jail in Lucknow on Tuesday. The exams passed off peacefully, senior superintendent (Lucknow jail) S H M Rizvi said, adding that Wednesday will see at least 28 prisoners from various jails from UP appearing for diploma in food and nutrition exams at the same jail centre. By any means, the number is encouraging enough for the others to pursue courses from jail. Dreams of these prisoners have been made true by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Elaborating on other courses, Rizvi said that about a dozen inmates would be appearing for BA second-year exams to be held soon. Other than this, an exam for certificate in food and nutrition course would also be held, Rizvi added. Till now, information of only one inmate taking part in this exam has been received, Rizvi further stated. Besides Lucknow, IGNOU centres have also been made at Bareilly and Agra jails in the state. Prisoner sare also allowed to appear in bachelor preparatory programme, DIG (jail) Sharad Kulshrestha said, adding that by taking part in this programme, a prisoner becomes eligible to directly pursue degree courses. The programme is slowly but steadily becoming popular among the jail inmates, authorities said. Once, an American education reformer, Horace Mann, had famously said, “A human being is not attaining his full heights until he is educated.” These noble words seem to be having an impact on prisoners in the state.
