In a truly inspiring academic achievement, a father and daughter from Natore’s Lalpur upazila have successfully completed their Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams together this year, with the father earning a significantly higher grade point average (GPA).
Abdul Hannan (43) and his daughter, Halima Khatun (18), residents of Narayanpur village in Gopalpur municipality, sat for the 2024 HSC examinations after having previously passed the SSC exams together in 2023.
In the recently published results, Abdul Hannan secured a remarkable GPA of 4.30 from Kakraamari College in Bagha upazila, Rajshahi. His daughter, Halima Khatun, who appeared from Gopalpur Degree College in Lalpur, achieved a respectable GPA of 3.71. The father’s superior performance has become a major talking point in the local community.
Inspiration Over Disappointment
Halima Khatun expressed pride rather than frustration over her father’s success. She shared the history of his attempt to return to education.
“My father attempted the SSC exam before I was born, but he couldn’t pass. I thought he had completely ended his academic pursuits,” Halima told a local correspondent. “But in 2023, he secretly sat for the SSC exam, and his story became quite famous both in our family and nationally.”
Halima explained that her father became even more dedicated after the successful SSC result. “He studied alongside me in between his household and business duties. He has now achieved an even better result than mine. I’m not upset; in fact, my father’s result has motivated me to perform better,” she added.
The Pursuit of Knowledge
Abdul Hannan’s journey back to school began two decades after his first attempt. He had been a good student in his youth, but family poverty forced him to drop out after failing the SSC exam in 1998, leading him to open a tea stall at the Gopalpur railway gate.
His motivation reignited when he went to register his daughter for her SSC exam. Without telling anyone, he started preparing for the exams himself. While the news of him sitting for the SSC exam caused a stir, he persevered and passed.
“When I restarted my education, I decided I would continue until the end—Master’s degree,” Abdul Hannan stated firmly. “I might not be eligible for a job by then, but it doesn’t matter. I want to live as a highly educated citizen of this society.”
Official Commendation
Rostom Ali Helali, the District Education Officer of Natore, praised Abdul Hannan’s commitment, calling it a positive social message.
“There is no age for gaining knowledge. Abdul Hannan has proven this by passing the HSC with his daughter Halima Khatun,” Helali commented. “He is studying not for a job, but purely for the sake of knowledge. This is a very positive step for society. We congratulate both of them.”
