At 44, Iganga father of eight sits PLE alongside children younger than his own

By Barasa Richard

IGANGA: For many parents, watching their children sit national examinations is a moment of pride, anxiety and expectation. But for 44-year-old Saidi Bateganya, this year's Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) have presented a rather different experience: he is sitting the same examinations alongside candidates young enough to be his own children.

A businessman and father of eight, Bateganya has returned to the classroom at Noor Islamic Primary School in Iganga Municipality, taking on a challenge that has attracted attention from fellow learners and the wider community.

His decision to return to primary school is particularly striking because some of his own children are already progressing through secondary education.

Bateganya revealed that his firstborn child completed Senior Four last year, while his second daughter is currently in Senior Two.

This means that while some of his children are preparing for higher levels of education, their father is working towards completing his primary education, a journey he could not finish when he was younger.

For a man who has spent years concentrating on business and family responsibilities, returning to a classroom dominated by much younger learners is an unusual but significant personal undertaking.

A resident of Busei in Iganga District, Bateganya said his decision to resume studies follows his determination to pursue ambitions that remained unfulfilled after his education was interrupted several years ago.

Rather than allowing age, family responsibilities or his years away from school to discourage him, he has chosen to give himself another opportunity.

His story challenges the common perception that formal education is exclusively meant for children and young people, demonstrating that the desire to acquire knowledge can remain alive even after people have established families and careers.

However, returning to school at 44 has not been without difficulties.

Bateganya admitted that one of his biggest challenges has been remembering some of the academic concepts he studied many years ago.

Spending a considerable period away from formal education, he explained, made it difficult to recall certain subjects and lessons.

Unlike younger candidates who have progressed through the education system continuously, he has had to readjust to classroom routines, studying and preparing for national examinations.

Yet these difficulties have not weakened his determination.

He remains optimistic about his performance, expressing hope that, with God's grace, he will successfully pass his examinations.

For Bateganya, sitting PLE is more than an attempt to obtain a primary school certificate. It is an important step towards pursuing his broader educational and political ambitions.

He believes that returning to school will help him advance his personal goals and prepare for responsibilities he hopes to undertake in the future.

His decision also presents an interesting family situation. As a father of eight children with two wives, he has responsibilities that would ordinarily leave little room for the demands of returning to primary education.

Nevertheless, he has demonstrated that family responsibilities and personal development do not necessarily have to compete.

His journey could also provide an important lesson to his children, particularly about the value of education, determination and the willingness to pursue unfinished dreams.

While parents often encourage their children to remain in school, Bateganya has chosen to demonstrate that message through his own actions.

He called upon young people to take their education seriously and avoid abandoning school because of temporary challenges.

He urged candidates sitting their examinations to remain focused, concentrate on their papers and work towards achieving good results.

According to him, education remains one of the important foundations for building a brighter future and accessing better opportunities.

His message comes at a time when some young people face social and economic challenges that threaten their ability to complete their education.

Meanwhile, the Headteacher of Noor Islamic Primary School, Mrs. Mutesi Rehema, confirmed Bateganya's participation in the examinations, revealing that all 74 registered candidates had reported for their papers.

His presence among the candidates adds a unique dimension to this year's examination experience at the school.

For the younger learners, sharing an examination environment with a middle-aged businessman and father of eight offers a practical reminder that learning is a lifelong process.

Bateganya's story also highlights the importance of creating an environment where people who experienced interruptions in their education can pursue their academic ambitions without feeling discouraged by their age.

Although he has not yet achieved all his educational goals, his return to the classroom represents an important personal milestone.

As he completes his PLE examinations, attention will turn to his results and the next steps in his educational journey.

For a man whose children are already advancing through secondary school, the experience of sitting primary examinations alongside much younger candidates may be unusual.

But his decision carries a message that goes beyond the examination room: a person's educational journey should not be defined by age, family responsibilities or the mistakes and interruptions of the past.

At 44, Bateganya is not simply sitting PLE. He is giving an unfinished dream another chance.