Rickshaw driver Jaker Hossain struggled to put food on the table for his family, but his only son Mohammad Miraj Hossain has now given his parents a reason to celebrate by securing GPA-5 in this year’s SSC examination.
Miraj, a student of Dhurung Adarsha High School and College in Kutubdia upazila, scored 1,156 marks in the science group and secured GPA-5.
His father Jaker Hossain said Miraj was his only child and that he had no fixed income. He supports the family by driving a rented battery-run rickshaw, but his earnings are barely enough to cover their basic expenses.
“I could not afford to arrange adequate private tuition for him. We managed with two meals a day, and the sincere support of his teachers helped my son achieve such a positive result. That alone makes me pleased,” he said.
Another student of the same institution, Sidratul Muntaha from Pechar Para in South Dhurung, also secured GPA-5 in the science group, scoring 1,059 marks.
Muntaha’s father, Sayed Nur, is a fishing labourer. He risks his life at sea to earn a daily income and support his family of five. He has one son and three daughters.
With little more than prayers to offer his talented daughter, he hopes she will get the opportunity to continue her studies at a prestigious college.
“I cannot do much for my daughter except pray for her. If she gets the opportunity to study at a prestigious college, I want to continue supporting her education,” he said.
Dhurung Adarsha High School and College headteacher Morshedul Alam said seven students from the institution secured GPA-5 in this year’s SSC examination.
“Miraj Hossain and Sidratul Muntaha come from impoverished families. Despite severe financial hardship, these two talented students have achieved excellent results,” he said.
“If they receive financial support, I believe they will be able to demonstrate their talent even further,” he added.
Mohammad Yusuf, headteacher of Lemshikhali High School, said four students from his institution secured GPA-5 this year.
Among them is Sulaiman Hakim of Jahalia Para, whose father, Abdu Shukkur, is unable to work after suffering paralysis.
His father earns Tk3,000 a month teaching at a local Nurania madrasa and struggles to support the family while nurturing his son’s educational aspirations.
He lives with the dream of making his son successful despite having very limited means — “the desire is there, but not the means.”
By Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Collected
