For Awatef Yusef Abdullah Al-Qalalif, age is just another number

TDT | Manama 

Knowledge knows no bounds, even if you are a bit late to pursue it.  Proving this to us from Bahrain is Awatef Yusef Abdullah Al-Qalalif from Al-Ahed Al-Zahir Secondary School for Girls.  At 43 years of age, she managed to achieve what many amongst us consider improbable. A General secondary school certificate with flying colours, says an AlAyam report. 

Unfortunate circumstances took her out of her school when she was pursuing her secondary school education 16 years before.  Life then set on a different course for which she had little control.  But, she was and is still that person who wanted to pursue her education and obtain a high school certificate. 

When the time was right enough, she had tackled it to prove that you’re never too old for school.  Holding her hand, in this path to excellence, was her husband Adnan Jassem Al-Sayyar, who stood firm supporting and motivating her in her pursuit. Thus after a sixteen-year hiatus, she has just proven to the world that it’s never too late to believe in your self. 

Awatef, born in 1977, managed to fulfil her long-cherished dream amid all the adversities including the pandemic outbreak.  A jubilant Awatef expressed her pride at the opportunity offered by the Ministry of Education for students who had been out of school for a long time to complete their studies in the home system,  She is full of praise for the school and educators there, who received her with all respect and assisted her will all necessary help including textbooks.

Examinations were held remotely, even though something new for her to experience, was also done with ease, thanks to the education ministry for its pioneering efforts in distance education, Awatef told Al Ayam.

So, if you are considering furthering your education, but you think you are too old for school. Just don’t hold yourself back. Awatef has shown to the world, with her real-life example that what determination can achieve and that age is just another number. Howzzat?