July 16, 2020: Lakyntiew Syiemlieh - a 50-year-old, single, working mother of four children and two grandchildren who dropped out of class 10, 32 years ago from a remote village in Meghalaya has defied - age and cleared the Class 12 board examinations, earning accolades for her achievement and becoming a social media star of sorts. 

The results of the Meghalaya Board's Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSLLC), Arts stream, were announced on Monday and Lakyntiew has passed the exams, according to the boards website.

Lakyntiew was the oldest student and she proudly wore the uniform while attending classes at Balawan College in RiBhoi district for two long years.

In 2008, she was asked by residents of her village to teach pre-schoolers for a salary of Rs 500. This was when her love for re-learning began, she was quoted as saying.

She joined the evening school at the National Institute of Open Learning in 2015, to retain her job at the SSA school where she taught. She cleared Class 10 in 2017.

She later became a student at the St Michael Higher Secondary School and sat for her Class 12 board exams. “I like jamming sessions! And enjoy my life with them as the senior most student,” she said. 

She said she wants to pursue higher studies with vernacular language as her major subject.

Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui congratulated Lakyntiew Syiemlieh for her feat despite her age.

"Age is not an issue when one is in search of education. Lakyntiew Syiemlieh is an example for everybody and especially those who give up studies midway. I congratulate her and appreciate her hardwork and dedication," Mr Rymbui said.

Her story was widely circulated on social media.