Tamim carries brother to exam center amid rising shop costs
Photo Collected
A physically disabled 15-year-old boy in Bangladesh, despite immense personal challenges and familial poverty, is diligently pursuing his education and hopes to achieve top marks in his upcoming secondary school examinations. Tamim Iqbal, born with multiple physical disabilities that have prevented him from ever standing upright, is now a candidate for the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams in Jhenaidah district.
Tamim, a resident of Sabdalpur village in Kotchandpur upazila, not only manages his own educational expenses but also contributes to his family’s meager income by running their old grocery store. His journey to the examination center is a testament to his determination, requiring his elder brother to carry him to and from the venue.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The son of Shahidul Islam and Bilkis Nahar, Tamim’s family has been struggling with poverty for years. His physical complications began shortly after birth, with his right leg fracturing within a week. According to his family, his bones have broken repeatedly, with documented fractures numbering 29 by 2016. The financial strain has been compounded by his father’s health issues, including kidney disease and later heart conditions in 2017 and 2023, forcing his elder brother, Badiuzzaman Bithu, to abandon his own studies to work and support the household.
Despite these overwhelming circumstances, Tamim has remained committed to his education, choosing the humanities stream to avoid the difficulties of science subjects. He took over the family’s small grocery shop in 2023, earning between 4,000 and 5,000 Bangladeshi taka per month, which he uses to cover his educational costs and supplement the family’s needs.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Tamim’s school attendance has been a significant challenge, often requiring his father or brother to carry him to school. His current SSC examinations are being held at the Talsar center, where his brother continues to assist him, carrying him in and out of the examination hall. He remains hopeful of achieving a GPA of 5 and aspires to secure a government job in the future.
Assistant head teacher of Sabdalpur Secondary School, Md. Hasmat Ali, described Tamim as a very good student with a strong interest in learning, acknowledging his resilience in pursuing education despite his physical limitations and family’s poverty. He added that with minimal assistance, Tamim could achieve even greater success.
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