At 59, Meghalaya man prepares for Class 10 exams 37 years after dropping out

At 59 years old, Sylvester Shadap from Thadrang Umngem village in Meghalaya's Ri Bhoi district is preparing to sit for his Class 10 exams, 37 years after he dropped out to handle family responsibilities. Shadap is the oldest among 9,767 private candidates registered for the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination under Meghalaya's Second Chance Learning Programme.

The programme, a collaboration between the Meghalaya government, MBOSE, and MPOWER, has no upper age limit and has reached learners from all 12 districts. Financial difficulties forced Shadap to leave school in 1989 to support his family, but he has now returned with the goal of completing his education and motivating others to do the same.

Adapting to the updated curriculum has been a challenge, but Shadap remains determined to succeed. The programme has set up 171 learning and assessment centers across Meghalaya, including 690 registered candidates in Ri Bhoi. MBOSE handles the academic and examination framework, while MPOWER focuses on community mobilisation, mentoring, registration, and follow-up.

Learners receive free self-study materials in various subjects, including Khasi, Garo, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, English, and Health. Upon completing the SSLC examination, successful learners can pursue higher secondary education, vocational training, or skills development, providing them with opportunities to continue their education and enhance their employability.

The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy's focus on flexible learning, inclusion, re-entry into education, and lifelong learning.