“I have dreamed of being a student for 45 years” – Interview with a 64-year-old female student

“I’ve been applying for higher education since school graduation, but...”

- I was born in 1958 in the Jalakuduq district (Andijan region) in an ordinary worker’s family. My father was a driver, my mother – a housewife. My father passed away, my mother is alive, 85 years old. We are 9 children in the family, I am the eldest daughter. I was interested in reading and singing since my childhood. My mother was a woman who knew folklore very well, she used to read a lot of books, and this case definitely had a positive influence on me.

I was a knowledgeable girl and participated in science Olympiads at school times. But somehow I was unlucky, I couldn’t be enrolled for a university. In 1978, I joined the technical school of preschool education in the city of Asaka. I graduated it in 1980 with honors. Then I got married to our neighbor. 

“After marriage, my husband did not allow me to continue studying”

- Now we have 3 children. They are all well-established.

After having a family, I received the blessings of my parents, my husband and my in-laws. Meanwhile, I worked in many places, in kindergartens. From 1983 to 2012, I worked as a music educator and music teacher at school. Even then, I wanted to have part-time education, but my husband did not allow me.

I was fired for not having a diploma of higher education 

- I did not kill myself in despair although my husband did not allow me to study. I continued the profession that I loved. I continued to be creative, wrote about 400 poems and scenarios. I wrote and staged cartoons and fairy tales for preschool and elementary school students.

In 2021, I was working in a private kindergarten until April. They hired a staff with higher education to replace me. After that, I asked my husband for permission to apply and he agreed.

I submitted my documents to the Andijan State University on pedagogy. I got the highest score in the creative exam. I also passed the compulsory subjects exam successfully and scored a total of 142.4 points. Consequently, I was enrolled for the university in 2nd place.

Now I have completed the first course with excellent grades. In the meantime, I took the 2nd place in the regional stage of the “Youth coach” competition. After retirement, I worked as the chairperson of the public council of mothers-in-law at the “Yorkhishlok” mahalla. I am happy to contribute to the reconciliation of those who are on the verge of divorce.

About her family’s opposition to applying for studies

- At first, my family members were opposed to continuation of my studies. They said: “What are you going to do with your studies at this age?” I reminded them about the hadith that one should seek knowledge until the end of one’s life. I told my children that I had dreamed of becoming a student for 45 years, I had read more than a thousand books, and now it was time to test myself. My second response to my family members was:

“If you go to a hospital, you encounter many children spending a lot of money for their mother’s recovery, but cannot find a cure for their illness. God gave me so much health and strength. I have 3 daughters-in-law, and I have been an exemplary mother-in-law. Don’t pay attention to the words of your neighbors and acquaintances – if they express concern about my studying at this age, say that your mother enjoys studying,” I said.

“I also want to study at the master’s degree”

- I was so happy when I received the news that I had been enrolled for the university, I was overwhelmed by congratulations.

After graduating my bachelor’s degree, I also want to study my master’s degree. When I am 70 years old, I will have completed my master’s degree. I have my own topics. God willing, I will do my research work on those subjects and realize my dreams with good scientific advisers.

“My coursemates are the same as my grandchildren”

- They say that no knowledge can be obtained at this age, but if a person is interested in what he is studying, it is never too late to acquire knowledge. I sit at the first desk in classes. I don’t skip a class. All my teachers are helping me as much as they can. I also got excellent marks on the subjects I was studying.

I studied tirelessly, completed assigned tasks, and did independent work. Our group monitor was born in 2004, he is at the same age as my grandson. All my coursemates respect me. This year, my coursemates and I took part in the “Zakovat” intellectual game held at our institute and took the 4th place among 16 groups.

I both study and work. I have started learning English now.

Advice for those who wish to study

- If a person has a strong will, if he thinks about good, he can achieve any goal. A person should not allow himself to become depressed. It is necessary to walk away from a person who thinks negatively. Such people can deprive you of your dreams and good qualities. May your heart always be pure, do good deeds for everyone.

Goodness never ends. About 10 of my acquaintances followed me and applied for studying. They are over 30-40. In any case, the sense of higher education is different. Don’t be lazy, it is never late to study. Try to seek knowledge, because knowledge rejuvenates a person.