Fahmida Khan balances family duties, job and studies to pass the exam, says she now wants to continue her education despite many challenges
HINGOLI — A 61-year-old Muslim woman from Hingoli in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region has become an inspiration after successfully clearing the SSC examination despite family responsibilities, financial struggles and decades spent away from formal education.
Fahmida Nisar Khan Pathan, a resident of Kalamnuri taluka, appeared for the Class 10 examination this year while continuing her duties as an anganwadi worker and managing household responsibilities.
She received ATKT (Allowed To Keep Terms), a provision to advance her to the next semester or year despite low marks in mathematics.
Fahmida Khan expressed happiness over her achievement and said she wants to continue her studies further if circumstances allow.
Speaking after the result, she said, “First I will clear my mathematics paper, then I will decide about further studies.”
Her educational journey has drawn praise from locals because she had discontinued schooling after Class 5 due to financial hardship during childhood.
After marriage, Fahmida wished to work to support her family financially but realised that education was necessary for employment opportunities. She later resumed studies and passed Class 7 in 1990 before applying for a position as an anganwadi worker.
Since then, she has spent decades teaching small children while managing her own family responsibilities.
According to family members, Fahmida started working as an anganwadi sevika nearly 36 years ago with a monthly salary of only Rs 225. Today, she earns around Rs 13,000 per month.
Despite continuing education privately over the years, she could not appear for the SSC examination earlier because of domestic responsibilities, anganwadi duties and raising her eight children.
This year, however, she finally filled Form No. 17 and appeared for the SSC examination as a private candidate.
People close to her said she studied sincerely and remained committed to completing her education despite her age and busy schedule.
A resident said, “Her success is proof that education has no age limit. She has encouraged many women who had left their studies long ago.”
Another well-wisher remarked, “Managing work, family and studies together at this age is not easy. Her determination deserves appreciation.”
Fahmida’s story has received admiration in the area, especially among women who see her achievement as a message that education can be continued at any stage of life.
Residents and education activists said such examples are important for encouraging adult literacy and women’s education, particularly among economically weaker sections.
Fahmida Khan said she hopes to continue studying and wants other women not to lose hope because of age or difficult circumstances.
