Passing HSC at 52, Shefali Dreams of Higher Education
Shefali Begum, a resident of Kaliganj in Nilphamari’s Dimla upazila, has passed the 2026 HSC examinations with a GPA of 4.21 as a student of Gomnati Business Management College. Her achievement stands as a remarkable testament to resilience, determination, and lifelong learning.
Her educational journey was cut short early in life following the demise of her father. Despite strong academic performance during primary and secondary school, financial hardships and family responsibilities forced her to step away from formal education to care for her household.
However, her passion for learning remained undiminished. Encouraged by her husband and three children, Shefali eventually resumed her studies. Balancing household duties with academic commitments, she persevered through the age gap and study gap to successfully earn her diploma.
Education runs deep in her family: her son, Abdur Raj Shafi, is pursuing a master’s degree in Information Technology at Gyeongsang National University in South Korea, while her daughter, Makhsura Khanam Nazmun, is completing her master’s degree at Rangpur Government College. Inspired by her children’s academic achievements, Shefali chose to lead by example.
Commending her perseverance, Abdul Mannan, a lecturer at Gomnati Business Management College, remarked that Shefali’s story delivers a powerful message to society: with dedication, self-confidence, and fortitude, age presents no barrier to success.
Reflecting on her journey, an emotional Shefali shared that watching her niece and children study reignited her desire to complete her own education. With her family’s unyielding support, she decided to return to school and pursue her long-cherished dream.
“Passing the HSC exam with a GPA of 4.21 makes me feel as though a major lifelong dream has finally been fulfilled,” she said.
Her husband, Moksedul Alam, noted that Ms. Shefali had sacrificed her personal ambitions for years to support the family. Seeing her fulfill her aspirations brings immense joy to their household, and he reaffirmed his commitment to supporting her future higher education endeavors.
Her fourth-grade granddaughter, Sharafi Raj, described her grandmother as a true role model, sharing that Shefali’s success has inspired her to focus even more on her own studies.
Shefali Begum’s story serves as a reminder that age is no barrier to learning. With determination, perseverance, and strong family support, personal milestones can be reached at any stage of life.
