CHENNAI: For Durga, who scored 60% in her Class X exams, Maha Lakshmi is not just a teacher, but another mother. Both of them found a special mention in school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi’s post on X for one reason — the teacher’s relentless efforts to instil confidence in the academically and financially struggling student, ensuring that she attended classes regularly.Besides the challenging terrain and constraints of commuting to school, the 15-year-old faced another problem. Durga’s family of four, including her, were compelled to migrate to Karnataka for four months a year for daily wage work. When she returned, her confidence would be at an all-time low, prompting her to drop out. That’s where Lakshmi stepped in, building her confidence from scratch.Having taught for more than a decade at the Govt Tribal Residential School in Tiruvannamalai, Lakshmi has faced numerous challenges as a teacher — from getting students to enrol, to transforming it from a primary school to a high school. “Perhaps, that is what prompted me to inspire Durga to continue her studies. I did not want any student to question or doubt my efforts for them. I gave her no concessions. She is a bright student and picked up…,” Lakshmi told TOI.When Durga was promoted from Class IX to Class X, some people discouraged her saying she would find it difficult to score decent marks. “When someone calls a student dull, it hits them psychologically. The duty as a teacher at the moment is to be there for them and instil confidence. They (the students) will do wonders then…,” Lakshmi said.Durga conveyed her gratitude to Lakshmi for her unwavering support. “I plan to finish my Class XII. I have the confidence to do so,” she added.