Reality show singer is lone girl in all-boys school

A reputed 92-year old all-boys boarding school in Dehradun has made an exception in several decades of its history by admitting its lone 11-year-old girl student among hundreds of boys on campus.

She will be the only girl student in her class at Colonel Brown Cambridge School.

Shekinah Mukhiya, who shot to fame post her phenomenal singing performance at a TV reality show recently, was reportedly denied admission to the next class at the convent school she was studying in earlier.

School authorities denied her promotion to the next grade because her attendance fell drastically due to her schedule at the reality show.

Shekinah's parents then approached the management of Colonel Brown Cambridge School in the hill town for admission, knowing well that the school was an all-boys boarding school.

The school obliged, recognising the girl's talent.

On April 12, the first day of the new session, Shekinah will begin her education in Class VII as the lone girl in the school.

The Dehradun girl was among the top five finalists at the TV reality show titled Voice of India.

'Not nervous'

Shekinah said she is not nervous to be in an all-boys school.

The school has restrooms for boys since there weren't any girls on the campus. It, therefore, has made certain relaxations for Shekinah allowing her access to toilets used by women staffers in the school.

But there is one rule that will commonly apply to all students irrespective of gender. Students have to wear trousers and so Shekinah will have to shun skits during school hours.

but Shekinah is not complaining. Her parents are relieved that she at least does not have to repeat a year.

Vikas Mukhiya, Shekinah's father said he took the refusal from the earlier school as a challenge and worked to fulfil an even more challenging decision to admit his daughter in an all-boys school.