By Fatu Sesay
While most people his age are enjoying retirement, 75-year-old Mohamed Lamin Turay is back in the classroom, sitting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in pursuit of a lifelong dream of serving in Sierra Leone’s Parliament.
Turay’s educational journey has drawn attention across the country as a testament to perseverance and lifelong learning. His quest began several years ago when he decided to return to formal education despite his advanced age.
In the 2019/2020 academic year, at the age of 69, Turay sat the National Primary School Examination (NPSE) at Rose of Shallom Primary School in Makeni, marking the first major step in his return to the classroom after decades away from formal education.
Since then, he has progressed through the educational system, determined to acquire the academic qualifications he believes are necessary to effectively represent his constituents and contribute to national development.
Now, six years later, Turay is among thousands of candidates taking the WASSCE, the regional examination that serves as a gateway to higher education and many professional careers in West Africa. Passing the examination would represent another significant milestone in his extraordinary academic journey.
Speaking about his ambitions, Turay has said that education remains a powerful tool for personal development regardless of age and that he hopes his example will inspire young people and adults alike to pursue learning opportunities.
His story has resonated with many Sierra Leoneans, who have praised his determination and refusal to allow age to become a barrier to achieving his goals.
Background
The West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), administered by the West African Examinations Council, is the principal secondary school-leaving examination in Sierra Leone and several other West African countries. It is a key requirement for admission to universities and other tertiary institutions. �
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Turay’s return to education comes at a time when Sierra Leone continues to promote adult literacy and lifelong learning initiatives aimed at expanding educational opportunities for citizens who missed formal schooling earlier in life.
His journey from primary school examinations in his late sixties to sitting the WASSCE at 75 has made him one of the country’s most remarkable examples of educational persistence, underscoring the belief that it is never too late to pursue one’s ambitions.
