Ritu scores GPA-5 despite losing father during exam

JASHORE, Aug 11: Despite losing her father to cancer during the SSC examinations, Ritu Khatun of Chaugachha Upazila in Jashore has secured a GPA-5, achieving an outstanding result in the humanities group.

Ritu appeared for the SSC examinations from Hakimpur Secondary School. However, the loss of her father, the family’s sole earning member, has left the bright student uncertain about pursuing higher education.

Ritu is the younger of two daughters of the late Kabir Hossain and Rehena Khatun of Hakimpur Village under Hakimpur Union. Her elder sister is married.

According to her family and school, Ritu began her SSC exams while her father was suffering from cancer. As his condition deteriorated, he was admitted to Jashore 250-bed General Hospital.

On May 10, the day of Ritu’s history examination, her father died at the hospital in the early hours. Her family did not tell her about his death before the exam.

Ritu travelled about 10 kilometres from Hakimpur to Sara Pilot Girls’ School in Chaugachha town for the examination. Her father’s body was taken home while she was sitting for the test.

After completing the exam, she returned home and learned that her father had died. She saw him for the last time and then had to prepare for her next examination.

Carrying the grief of losing her father, Ritu completed the rest of her exams. Her result, published on Monday, showed that she had secured GPA-5.

“Had my father been alive, he would have been very happy to see my result,” Ritu said. She also sought prayers for her father and expressed concern about how she would continue her higher education without him.
Shahanaz Parvin, an assistant teacher at Hakimpur Secondary School, said Ritu was a very meritorious student and teachers had expected her to do well.

“Neither her father’s illness nor the family’s financial hardship could stand in the way of her result. We hope she will continue to achieve success,” she said, urging affluent members of society to support Ritu.