MIANWALI, Jan 19: It is never too late to be educated. It is perhaps this philosophy that has prompted a mother of two to make friends with books by sitting in a class along with her children at the age of 25. Rukhsana Batool, a resident of a small village named New Pakki Shah Mardan at the left bank of the river Indus (35kms off city), has joined Class-I at Markaz Daudkhel's Government Girls Primary School. Among her class-fellows are her two sons -- Haseem Raza and Minahil Raza.

Rukhsana told Dawn she was born to a poor family and could not get education despite having a burning desire. She said her parents married her at the age of 18 with a relative, a motorcycle mechanic by profession.

She said as her two sons attained the schooling age, she got them admitted to the local primary school (which also accommodates boys for early education). This aroused her latent desire to seek education, she said, adding that she persuaded the teacher, Ms Murid Fiza, to allow her to sit in the class.

The teacher, she said, informally allowed her to attend lessons along with her sons. She said her husband had allowed her to fulfill “her dream” as he had hired a maid to do the chores at home.

Proud of being in a school, Rukhsana said she had completed her session of Class-I like all regular students and she could read and write just like other school-goers.

She intends to continue her study and expresses desire to appear as a private candidate in the examinations conducted by the board. She said that by accepting the challenge of studying at this age she wanted to tell all women like her to take a cue from her life and seek education to be able to avoid gender discrimination.

Her husband, Sabir Abbas Shah, said he had facilitated his wife to fulfill her desire and he was grateful to the school administration and teachers for their cooperation. He urged the authorities concerned to establish an institution for adult education as well.

The teacher said Rukhsana was doing well in studies and regularly attending her class and doing homework.