Proving that education is free from age barriers, 44-year-old Rajni Bala appeared for Class X exams of the Punjab State Education Board (PSEB) after a gap of 29 years along with her son in Ludhiana, The Tribune reported on 29 March. She is taking the examinations at Government High School, Haibowal Kalan.
Bala, who works as a ward attendant in a Civil Hospital, had completed Class 9 in 1989, but owing to unfortunate family circumstances, she had to drop out two days before the examination. Eventually, she was married and began her family life.
Today, she is dabbling in housework and studies. Bala wakes up at 4 and engages in household chores for most of the day, making time for visits to a nearby private school to resume her studies.
She credits her husband and son for being “pillars of strength” in her life.
My husband has been telling me for several years to complete my education. However, I had three children and had to educate them. Although I am working as a ward attendant in a civil hospital, I realised that it is important to pass Class 10 at least, in the present day. Therefore, I began preparing along with my son, who is also in Class 10. We go to school together and study also together.Rajni told ANI.
Rajni is not the only one who is breaking the glass ceiling. Her husband Rajkumar, a graduate now completed his studies only after a gap of 17 years. A journalist, Rajkumar said to pace up with changing times, one needs to change the outlook first.
She completed class 9 in 1989 but discontinued her studies due to family problems. I have been telling her for a while now to clear class 10 and that age is no bar for education.Raj Kumar Sathi, Rajni Bala’s husband to ANI
Deepak, Rajni’s son says he will help her mother complete her education. “Now, we will study together until graduation,” he told The Tribune.
Echoing a similar thought, Pawan Gaur, Principal of Lajwanti Senior Secondary School, where the mother-son duo are studying, told ANI that when individuals come back to complete their education after several years, it sends a very “positive message to the society at large.”
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