Sujon’s admission at NSTU faces uncertainty
From primary to higher secondary, completing the 12 years of education was not easy for Sujon Robidas, son of an indigenous tea labourer from Moulvibazar’s Sreemangal upazila.
Yet, financial difficulties finally became an obstacle to the young man’s dream of obtaining a university degree and joining the civil service.
Relatives, locals and well-wishers, till date, helped the young man with his education expenses because of his consistent good grade of achieving GPA 5 at primary school, in the Junior and Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations.
He even passed Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination from science group and secured GPA 4.58 from Sreemangal Government College this year, but missed the admission deadline for honours education at his college under National University.
“I could not arrange the admission fee,” explained the young man.
However, there is still hope because Sujon passed the admission test of Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) held on November 2.
He has till December 1 to complete the admission formality, including a payment of Tk 16,000 fees.
“My interview for admission to NSTU was held and I passed it, but I am still uncertain about fulfilling my dream to study at the prestigious institution due to my parents’ hardship,” said Sujon.
Sujon’s father, Narayan Robidas, is the only regular earner in the family. His mother Shanti Robidas works as a house-help and his brother works at a shop whenever they can manage such jobs. Jointly, they earn about Tk 5,000 per month with which they have to feed their six-member family.
“Sometimes, we have to pass our days half-fed, but my child never lost concentration in his study,” said Shanti, referring to Sujon.
“My elder and younger son dropped out from study for financial crisis. But I can’t see that happening to Sujon,” she said, with tears in her eyes, when this correspondent visited their house on Friday.
“I have appealed to my relatives and some of the neighbours for help, but did not get any response from anyone yet,” said the anxious mother.
After studying till Class VII, Sujon’s elder brother had to join work. His younger brother also had to drop out after Class IX. Only his younger sister is still studying at a school.
“I don’t have the ability to bear the expenditure for Sujon’s education. I told him to get admission at an institution in Sreemangal, where the cost would be less,” said Narayan, adding that he gets a daily wage of Tk 102 only.
Besides the admission fee, the cost of tuition, accommodation, travel, books and other materials for studying at NSTU would come to about Tk 7,000 to Tk 8,000 per month, estimated Pranesh Goala, chairman of Kalighat Union Parishad (UP) in Sreemangal.
The UP chairman, who often helped out Sujon with his education expenses, said, “Sujon is a meritorious student. Bright future awaits him if he gets financial support for higher education.”