Girls from Devadasi community excel with outstanding school results

22 May 2026

In northern Karnataka, India, education can make the difference between a life of exploitation and an independent future full of opportunities. For girls from the Devadasi community, simply attending school is already remarkable. Graduating with outstanding results is an even greater achievement.

Many girls from the Devadasi community grow up in highly vulnerable circumstances. Within a deeply rooted, centuries-old system, girls are ritually dedicated to temple deities. As a result, they face an increased risk of sexual exploitation, child marriage, and intergenerational poverty. In addition, many of these children lack official documentation regarding their father’s identity, which long made accessing education exceptionally difficult.

That is precisely why this year’s exam results are so significant.

Outstanding academic succes

Through the GOOD project (Getting Out of the Devadasi System), Terre des Hommes, together with local partners, supports girls and young women in 185 villages across northern Karnataka to break this vicious cycle. And with great succes! Just look at this year’s achievements:

Class 10 (Lower Secondary School): 317 girls took the exam. An impressive 43 of them ranked at the absolute top of their class, and 137 girls scored well above average.
Pre-University Course (Upper Secondary School): 229 young women progressed to these exams. Here too, the results were equally exceptional: 40 students finished at the absolute top, and 116 achieved excellent, above-average marks.

Top performers of 2026:
Dhanushri achieved an outstanding score of 95.2% (595 out of 625 points) in her Class 10 exam.
Srushti Metri went even further in her Pre-University Course exam, reaching an astonishing score of 97.33% (584 out of 600 points).

More than just school results

These results demonstrate what is possible when girls receive the right support: access to education, leadership training, community-based protection, and economic assistance for their families.

Since the launch of the GOOD project in 2022, significant progress has already been made:

More than 6,000 children from Devadasi families have been officially enrolled in school.
1,636 Kishori leaders have been trained. These are empowered young girls who stand up for their rights, help prevent child marriages in their communities, and serve as role models for others.
26,067 families received intensive guidance to improve their living situations.
A historic policy breakthrough: thanks to successful advocacy efforts, listing the father’s on official documents is now optional, making it easier for Devadasi girls to access higher education.

Girls as change agents

The GOOD project follows a child-centred and participatory approach, empowering girls and young people to play an active role in creating change within their communities. In addition to education, the programme focuses on economic independence, gender equality, child protection, and policy advocacy.

Every young woman who completed her exams this year takes a step away from exploitation and closer to independence and freedom of choice. We are incredibly proud of their immense perseverance and deeply grateful to all donors, partners, and local communities who help make this possible.