80-year-old Alappuzha man clears Class 12 equivalency exam, plans to study law

Alappuzha: At the age of 80, P D Gopidas from Thannippallichira House, Punnapra North Grama Panchayat, cleared the Class 12 Equivalency Course under the Literacy Mission.

Gopidas, who dropped out of school after Class 5, has been continuing his education through the Literacy Mission. He had earlier cleared the Class 7 and Class 10 equivalency examinations. He began his schooling at Paravoor High School, which only had classes up to 4 at that time, before moving to Poonthottam St Joseph's L P School, where he completed Class 5 in 1957–58.

Though he enrolled in Class 6, he dropped out soon after. “I wasn’t very interested in studying at that time. I preferred playing with my friends. There were no financial difficulties at home, it was my own fault that I stopped,” he recalled.

After leaving school, Gopidas worked in his mother’s shop as a Beedi roller, later at a coir factory and as a security guard. Years later, on hearing about the Literacy Mission’s equivalency scheme, he decided to resume his studies. He passed Class 10 in 2020, during the COVID-19 period and despite losing a year due to health issues, he went on to complete Classes 11 and 12. His Higher Secondary results were declared on Wednesday, which he cleared successfully.

“Even though I had stopped formal schooling, I used to read regularly, so it wasn’t too difficult to start again. I would study for about two hours a day. English was the only subject I found tough. When my grandchildren studied, I would join them,” he said.  “It was my mother’s dream that I pass Class 10, so I am happy I was able to fulfil that,” he added.

“Many people, including my teachers, are saying I should continue my studies. Health is a concern, but if everything goes well, I want to pursue a degree and become a lawyer,” he added. Gopidas has two daughters and is currently living with his younger daughter, husband and their two children.