Alappuzha: Age is not a barrier to education and Karthiyayani Amma bears testimony to the fact. This native of Alappuzha in Kerala, aged 96, didn't get the opportunity to study during her childhood because she got married at a very young age. But she is happy to explore her long-suppressed passion for education. And she is working hard to achieve her goal.

Karthiyayani Amma has an aim in her life. And that is to take the SSLC examination (Class 10 board exams). She just finished her Class 3 examination. She appeared for her exams with 45 other students and is now waiting for the results. 

This senior citizen is worried now, complaining that the questions asked in the exam were not from the subjects she had studied. However, she got the first position in the reading exam conducted the same day.

Karthiyayani Amma got the opportunity to study at this age, thanks to the scheme introduced by the District Literacy Mission. Her daughter got to know about this mission from the panchayath and thought of giving her mother an opportunity to study.

An individual teacher was appointed for Karthiyayani Amma because of her declining health. The teacher regularly came to Amma's house for her lessons five days in a week. 

Over 45,000 senior citizens from across Kerala appeared for the Literacy Mission's test this year. Karthyayini Amma enrolled with the mission in January this year. She is expected to qualify for Class 4 next year after qualifying.

Karthiyayani Amma's grandchildren are studying in Class 5 and Class 9. She is delighted to discuss her course material with the children of her second generation.