For Shefali Begum, the dream of pursuing higher education was never lost, even though her schooling came to a halt in Class 8 following her marriage.
Married to her cousin Moksedul Alam at just one and a half years of age, she moved to her husband’s home in 1985 while studying in Class 8, after which continuing regular studies was no longer possible.
Hailing from Kaliganj village in Dimla upazila under Nilphamari district, Shefali spent many years managing household duties and raising her children while also taking on social responsibilities.
In 2011, she was elected as a reserved female ward member of her local Union Parishad and served two consecutive terms from 2011 to 2021.
Yet, her aspiration for higher education remained undimmed. In 2020, with encouragement from her husband and son, Shefali picked up her books once more to resume her studies.
She enrolled at Gomnati Business Management College in Domar upazila and passed her Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination in 2023 with a GPA of 4.29.
Now, at the age of 52, she has passed her Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination with a GPA of 4.21, turning her long-cherished dream into reality.
Balancing household chores with studies was challenging, requiring patience and hard work.
Every night, after completing all domestic responsibilities, Shefali would sit down to study after 9pm, sometimes continuing until 1am or 2am. She had no private tutor and relied on her own determination, taking assistance from her children specifically for English.
“I had a strong desire to pursue higher education, but I had to move to my husband’s house while in Class 8 and became busy with family and children,” Shefali recalled. She shared that the success of her own children inspired her to start studying again.
“Being able to achieve this at this age is my greatest joy. Age is truly no barrier. Now I want to get admitted into Honours and continue studying,” she expressed.
Throughout her educational journey, her family provided steadfast support. Her husband, Moksedul Alam, said rather than putting pressure on her for top marks, they advised her to at least pass, and he actively assisted her with household chores to help her find time for studying.
Her eldest son, Abdur Razzaq, expressed immense delight over his mother’s achievement, stating that his joy cannot be expressed in words.
By passing the HSC examination at 52 after a long hiatus, Shefali has not only fulfilled her own dream but has also become an inspiration for others.
She firmly believes that there is no age limit to learning and that anyone can make a fresh start at any time with determination.
