Granny, 55, re-enrols in school

Binduri (U/E), May 23, GNA - For madam Christian Abugri, a 55-year-old grandmother of nine, schooling is not all about age but one's determination and perseverance to see to it that a set goal of being literate is accomplished.

The class-five pupil of Kaadi Primary School, near Bawku in the Upper East Region, was adjudged one of the best-performed pupils during the MP's Awards Day at Binduri.

Recounting her experience to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Miss Abugri said she dropped out of school while in class 5 at the age of l5 in 1966 after her father's death since the mother could not cater for her and seven siblings.

She said two years later, her mother also passed away and her uncles forced her into marriage at the age of 17 to an old man who did not have any interest in schooling.

According to Miss Abugri, her persistent appeals to the husband to continue her education proved futile till she gave birth to her first daughter, 34 years ago.

After that she resigned her fate in education and gave birth to five addition children till her husband passed away six years ago, compelling her to rethink about school again.

She said she approached the assemblyman and the headteacher about her decision to enrol in the school of which they encouraged her and placed her in class 3 in 2004.

Madam Abugri, who is in the same class with her last born, Jeff aged 15, said she had enjoyed tremendous support from the son, classmates and teachers and was confident to complete her cherished dreams of being literate.

She said though some members of the community initially ridiculed her, most have respected her for her stance in pursing education, adding that most of them have now enrolled with the Non-Formal Education classes. The granny pupil was happy to become a role model in the community as most inhabitants had come to realise the importance of education.