Dinajpur schoolgirl earns perfect GPA after district administrator replaces financial aid with academic mentorship
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DINAJPUR — A high school student from a low-income family in Dinajpur has achieved a GPA-5 in her Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations, marking the successful culmination of a year-long academic mentorship program initiated by the District Commissioner (DC).
Sadia Afrin, a student of Kader Box Memorial High School in the Mashimpur Sarkerpara area, attained the highest grade in the science department, becoming the only student from her school to achieve a GPA-5 in the recent examinations. Her journey to academic success began last year when her mother, Arfa Begum, sought financial assistance from District Commissioner Md. Rafiqul Islam to cover her daughter’s educational expenses.
Instead of providing immediate monetary aid, the District Commissioner assigned Sadia a rigorous weekly study schedule and specific academic tasks. He instructed her to report to his office every Wednesday to present her progress. This routine continued for a year, transforming the DC’s office into a supplementary classroom where the official monitored her studies and provided guidance.
Sadia, the eldest of three daughters, resides in a modest two-room tin shed with no dedicated study desk. She often studied on her mother’s sewing machine or her bed. Her father, Md. Selim, is a rice mill worker, and her mother supplements the family income through sewing. Despite their precarious financial situation, the family prioritized Sadia’s education.
Following the initial meeting, the District Commissioner established a strict daily regimen for the student: two hours of study at night and two in the morning, with a mandatory hour for outdoor activity. He also required her to attend school daily regardless of her schedule. After four months of consistent performance, the district administration began providing monthly financial support, including an initial grant of 7,000 taka.
“I realized during our first meeting that she had immense potential,” said District Commissioner Md. Rafiqul Islam. “I gave her a challenge, and she followed the routine diligently. There are thousands of students like Sadia who lack basic resources, and our administration is working to provide scholarships and educational support to meritorious students across the district.”
The student’s school principal, Mokshed Ali, expressed pride in her achievement, noting that the District Commissioner took a personal interest in Sadia’s academic development. Following the publication of the results on August 10, the family visited the DC’s office, where she was congratulated for her performance.
Looking ahead, Sadia aspires to secure a government job to support her parents and improve her family’s economic standing. However, her father, Md. Selim, expressed cautious optimism regarding the future, citing concerns over whether the family can sustain the costs of her higher education without continued support.
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