LIRA, Uganda – In a classroom surrounded by teenagers, Patrick Ogweng, a 48-year-old man with the weight of family responsibilities on his shoulders, is quietly rewriting the rules on when it's too late to learn. His journey back to the school bench is a powerful testament to resilience and the relentless pursuit of a dream.
For Ogweng, the decision to return to formal education in 2022 was not an easy one. "It’s not easy at this stage of life with a lot of responsibilities to come back to school," he shared, acknowledging the unique challenges of balancing adult obligations with academic demands. He enrolled in Senior 3 at Greenwich in 2022, and his dedication paid off spectacularly when he sat for his exams in 2023, achieving a first-grade Division One.
Now a student at Lira Secondary School and preparing to sit for his Uganda Advance Certificate of Education (UACE) this year, Ogweng revealed that his return to the classroom was driven by a profound response to life's hurdles. He said that the "many challenges he has seen" in his life were the primary catalyst, compelling him to seek knowledge and qualification as a tool for a better future.
His extraordinary commitment has not gone unnoticed. The school's administration has hailed him as a living lesson in perseverance. Isaac Ocoo, the Headteacher of Lira Secondary School, personally thanked Ogweng for his courage.
Ocoo also used Ogweng's example to impart a crucial message to the younger students, encouraging them to "focus on their education when they are still young and have the opportunity."
Patrick Ogweng stands as a compelling figure of inspiration, demonstrating that the desire for self-improvement has no expiration date and that it is never too late to turn life's challenges into a driving force for academic success.
