Meherpur –When gray-haired Basirun Khatun walks through a muddy village path with books in hands along with two class V students, it seems a grandmother is going to school to drop her grandchildren there.
But the real story is completely different! Basirun, now 65, is not their grandma, but their classmate. This year she is going to appear in the primary terminal examination set to begin on November 20.
Basirun, a widow and mother of one son and two daughters, has been living at Hoglabaria village in Gangni upazila with her son Mahir Uddin.
She is so devoted to education that she goes to school, one kilometer away from her house, ever day on foot ignoring her physical pain she has to endure for this, Basirun’s son Mahir told UNB.
“My mother couldn’t take formal education as she was married off at her early age due to poverty. But her zeal for education prompted her to get admitted to a school in 2011 at this stage of her life. At first, local people didn’t accept the matter easily and spoke behind us but now they feel proud of my mother. Even they help us by providing exam fees of my mother.”
During a recent visit to the Hoglbaria Purbapara Government Primary School, this correspondent found that the sexagenarian woman is busy learning with other children. She is very attentive to her classes and participates in games with her classmates during the tiffin break.
While talking, Basirun said if she can pass the primary exam she will continue study and take part in the Secondary School Certificate Examination.
“I tried a lot so that my children get higher education but failed following the demise of my husband. When I see that my grandchildren started their education I decided to start my study with them. At first, the headmaster of the school refused to enroll me, but later they admitted me considering my huge interest,” said Basirun.
Talking about her future plan, the window said, “On completion of my primary education, I’ll get admitted to a high school and also teach poor children free of cost.”
Helal Uddin, headmaster of Hoglbaria Purbapara Government Primary School, said, “Basirun got enrolled to the school in 2011, and she is very attentive to learning…she attends school every day.”
Akbar Ali, education officer of Gangni Upazila, said, “There is no age limit for education and I feel proud that an elderly woman like Basirun will appear in the primary terminal examination. The other elderly people will get encouraged seeing her.”
