50-Year-Old Grandmother From Meghalaya Clears Class XII, 32 Years After Dropping Out Of Class X

Fifty-year-old Lakyntiew Syiemlieh, a single mother to four and a grandmother to two, has cleared her class 12 examinations, more than 30 years after dropping out of class 10 in Meghalaya. She is fondly called as "Mei", Khasi for mother, by kids at her school.

Meghalaya Board of School Education¡¯s Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSLLC), Arts stream examination declared results on Monday.

She has already decided what she will pursue next - a Bachelor¡¯s degree in Khasi language.

¡°I understand the importance of education ¡ª without it we are simply nothing," she told The Indian Express on phone.

Lakyntiew was one of the 24,267 students who appeared for the state board¡¯s Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate Arts stream examination this year. The results were declared on Monday.

Indian Express

She lives with her son, daughter, and two granddaughters.

¡°My children are so thrilled that they started shouting, hugging and kissing me when the results were declared yesterday. In fact, it was the happiest day of my life,¡± she told the Indian Express.

Lakyntiew dropped out of school in 1989 due to the struggle she faced in mathematics. At 21, she got married and had four kids, Unfortunately, the marriage did not work out. She continued to support her family as a single mother by teaching Khasi to children at a local village.

Lakyntiew, dressed in school uniform, attended classes with students at least three decades younger to her.