Although he completed his matriculation way back in 1962, Said Muhammad Khan has no hesitation in continuing his education over half a century later at the age of 71.
“My father could not afford the expenses so I didn’t study further and started working as a labourer,” he tells while standing in queue at the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education office.
Muhammad Khan belongs to Dargai, Malakand. Decades ago, he and 145 of his class fellows passed the Secondary School Certificate examination from Government High School Dargai. However, the 71-year-old adds he could not study further due to financial constraints.
Future plans
“Now that I am financially stable, I want to pick up where I left off,” says Khan who is in Peshawar to receive his matric certificate and enrol himself for the FA exams.
He has requested BISE administration to allow him to sit for the FA examination next year. “If BISE allows me to take the FA exams I will continue with my education and will also apply for a BA and then MA.”
BISE Chairman Muhammad Shafi Afridi said he respects the Muhammad Khan’s enthusiasm to continue with his education.
Shafi says he has directed the relevant officers to provide Muhammad Khan with his SSC degree and recommend his name to the examination committee so that he may be allowed to take the FA examination.
“BISE has also returned the fees that he submitted for his matric certification and will support him so that he is able to continue with his education,” Shafi adds.
The 71-year-old has set an example for those people who are not studying further or have not considered getting an education at all, says Shafi, adding that education has the power to change a person’s perspective. He advises all those who have not obtained an education to consider the option and bring positive changes to their lives.
