Despite GPA-5 in both SSC and HSC, Kishoreganj's Farzana faces uncertainty over money for higher education

Farzana Akter of Hossainpur in Kishoreganj has achieved GPA-5 in both the SSC and HSC examinations. Her dream is to complete university studies, join the administration cadre through the BCS and serve people.

But despite succeeding through merit and perseverance, her biggest obstacle now is financial hardship. She is uncertain how the cost of enrolling at university and continuing her studies will be arranged.

Farzana's home is in Paschim Nirahargati (Jibergarh) village in Ward No. 4 of Hossainpur municipality in Kishoreganj.

She achieved GPA-5 in this year's HSC examination from the Business Studies department of Hossainpur Government Model School and College. She had earlier achieved GPA-5 in the SSC examination from the same institution.

Her success has brought smiles to her parents, but they remain deeply worried about whether they can afford to educate their daughter in higher education.

Farzana's father Morjot Ali is a day labourer. His family runs on sharecropping others' land alongside day labour. Apart from a small homestead, the family has almost no assets.

Due to age and various illnesses, Morjot Ali can no longer do heavy work as before. There is no one else in the family to earn, it has been learned.

Farzana is the fourth among the family's children. After meeting household expenses on a limited income, bearing the cost of their daughter's studies was a major challenge for the family. Because of poverty, she often did not get proper nutritious food.

Yet Farzana did not give in to poverty. Even in an adverse environment, she continued her studies with focus and perseverance. Her good results are recognition of that hard work.

Farzana said, “I got GPA-5 in the SSC and HSC examinations. But how I will pursue higher education for lack of money is now my biggest worry.”

Speaking of her future plans, she said, “I want to study at university and complete higher education. Later I dream of working in the administration cadre and serving people.”

Her mother Saleha Banu is delighted at her daughter's success, but helplessness is mixed with that joy. She wishes to send her daughter to university but lacks the financial means.

Saleha Banu said, “As there is no son, there is no one to take charge of the family. We are happy at our daughter's good result. But thinking that we cannot send her to a big university for lack of money, my heart breaks and tears come.”

Mohammad Khairul Islam, acting principal of Hossainpur Government Model School and College, said, “We have encouraged meritorious student Farzana Akter at various times for her good results.”

Fighting poverty, Farzana has proved that adversity could not stop her merit and perseverance. Now her and her family's worry is arranging the cost of university admission, accommodation, food and studies.