In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Zunaid, a 10-year-old boy from the Mistripara village of Garura in Adabaria Union, has been forced to abandon his education to become the sole breadwinner for his five-member family.
Following the death of his father, the young boy now spends his days driving a battery-run van to provide for his elderly, ailing grandparents and his two siblings. Zunaid was a Class 3 student at the local No 1 Pragpur Government Primary School, but the burden of responsibility has brought his schooling to a complete halt.
The family’s misfortune began in March when Junaid’s mother, Rozina Khatun, reportedly eloped with a young man, taking with her the money saved for her husband’s medical treatment. Devastated by the betrayal and unable to afford necessary care, his father, Habibur Rahman, passed away on the day of pious Eid-ul-Fitr.
“Junaid carried his father’s body on his shoulders when everyone else was celebrating Eid,” his 65-year-old grandmother, Sapa Jan Nesa, said through tears. She added that the mother did not just take their money but left the entire family destitute.
Currently, Junaid’s earnings from the van are the only source of income to buy food and medicine for his sick grandfather, his 12-year-old ailing elder brother, his younger sister, and his grandmother. Junaid shared that since his mother left and his father died, there is no one else to look after them.
The impact on his education has been significant. Shahabuddin, the Headmaster of No 1 Pragpur Government Primary School, noted that Zunaid has been absent since the family disaster, leaving his new schoolbooks virtually untouched. The school authorities are reportedly trying to find a way to bring him back to the classroom.
Local residents have been moved by the child’s struggle. Samsul Haque, a college teacher and a passenger on Junaid’s van, remarked, “People are often reluctant to board his van because he is so small. I rode with him today after seeing his hardship. It is astonishing to see a child of his age shouldering such massive responsibility”.
The local administration has recently taken notice of the situation. Abdul Baki, Chairman of the Adabaria Union Parishad, admitted he was previously unaware of the family’s plight but has now assured that he will stand by them.
Anindya Guha, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), described the incident as “extremely heart-breaking” and confirmed that the administration will take initiatives to provide the necessary support to the family.
