Nearly four decades after dropping out of school, 59-year-old Sylvester Shadap in Meghalaya is preparing to return to the examination hall, determined to complete his Class-10 education and inspire others who had to leave their studies unfinished.
“Returning for the SSLC examination is about setting an example. Shadap recalled that he had to drop out of school to take on responsibilities at home and help his family. “Financial difficulties made it difficult for me to continue my education. At that time, supporting my family was more important than school. Years passed, but I always felt I had left something unfinished. The initiative is a joint effort of the Meghalaya government, Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE) and Meghalaya Programme for Adolescent Wellbeing, Empowerment and Resilience (MPOWER). The examination is scheduled for December. The journey for Shadap’s return to education, however, has come with its own challenges.
Shadap, who left school in 1989, is the oldest among 9,767 former dropouts registered as private candidates for the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination under Meghalaya’s Second Chance Learning Programme, officials said. The programme offers those who left school an opportunity to resume their studies and complete Class-10. I never imagined I would get another opportunity to complete my Class-10 at the age of 59,” he told PTI. After a 37-year gap, he had to adjust to a curriculum that is markedly different from the one he knew as a student.
I want to encourage the children of this generation, my own family, and those who had dropped out of school,” Shadap, a resident of Thadrang Umngem village in Ri Bhoi district, said.
