Sometimes, a person’s greatest achievement is not the grade printed on a results slip, but what they had to overcome to get there.
For Martha Korantewa Gavor, looking through an old academic document(wassce certificate) recently brought back memories of a difficult period in her education—one that included dropping out of school, returning years later, passing the BECE, completing senior high school and eventually gaining admission to the University of Ghana.
Sharing her story on Facebook, Gavor said she became emotional after discovering the document in her archives and reflecting on how far she had come.
When Gavor initially checked her WASSCE results, she admitted that she was disappointed. She had worked hard and hoped to obtain straight A1’s or, at worst, a B2.
Mathematics was particularly important to her because it was the subject she struggled with most. She eventually obtained a C4 in Mathematics a result she now recognises as an achievement given the circumstances, although at the time she had expected a better grade.
Her difficulties with Mathematics, however, were connected to a much bigger interruption in her education.
Gavor’s education had been interrupted when she dropped out of school for several years.
In 2018, she made the decision to start again. She returned to Junior High School, sat for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and passed.
That achievement opened the door to the next stage of her education. She gained admission to Benkum Senior High School in Larteh-Akuapem, which had been her first choice.
At the time, students selected their preferred schools before receiving their examination results, leaving Gavor uncertain about whether she would eventually secure admission to her chosen school.
She said she discussed the matter with her godfather, who encouraged her and described Benkum SHS as one of the best schools he knew. Looking back, she believes his assessment was correct.
Gavor further said her years at Benkum SHS became an important chapter in her life. She recalled being loved and supported by her teachers while also taking up leadership positions and participating in positive activities on campus.
She deliberately avoided negative influences because she had set a clear academic target for herself. Her goal was to complete the WASSCE with an aggregate below 10.
But Mathematics remained a major obstacle.
While wassce was approaching, Gavor decided she could not allow her difficulty with Mathematics to determine her future. About four months before the examination, Madam Esther, whom she identifies as the current Head of Academics at the school, organised a remedial Mathematics class for a small group of students.
Gavor approached her teacher and asked if she could join. She was welcomed into the class.
According to Gavor, she committed herself fully to the remedial lessons because she had a clear dream: to study Law.
She knew that obtaining strong grades would be important in pursuing that ambition. The experience also taught her an important lesson about asking for help.
Instead of accepting Mathematics as a permanent weakness, she sought additional support and worked harder to improve.
WASSCE Result brought tears
When the final WASSCE results arrived, Gavor said she cried. She had hoped for an aggregate between 6 and 10, but she obtained an aggregate of 12.
At the time, she struggled to understand why her result had not matched the expectations she had set for herself but the disappointment did not end her education.
Instead, another opportunity opened.
Despite not achieving the aggregate she had hoped for, Gavor was eventually admitted to pursue a bachelor’s degree at the University of Ghana.
She accepted the offer and continued her studies. Looking back, she credits God and several people who supported her along the way for helping her reach that point.
For someone who had once spent years outside the classroom, progressing to university represented far more than simply gaining admission to a tertiary institution. It represented a second chance that she had worked hard to create and ask herself;
‘Did I really overcome all of that?’
The old document she discovered in her archives brought those memories rushing back.
Gavor said she became emotional as she reflected on dropping out of school in 2015, returning to education in 2018, passing the BECE, gaining admission to Benkum SHS, completing the WASSCE and eventually entering university.
For her, the answer is a reminder of how much persistence can accomplish.
A child’s school does not determine their destiny
Perhaps the most important lesson Gavor draws from her experience concerns the debate over schools and academic success.
She believes parents do not necessarily have to send their children to elite or famous schools for them to succeed.
According to her, a child’s mindset, determination and willingness to work towards a goal can ultimately play a major role in determining their future.
Her experience offers a practical example. She spent years away from school, returned to education later, struggled with Mathematics and failed to achieve the WASSCE aggregate she had originally targeted.
Yet she continued pursuing her goals.
A message to students who feel left behind
Gavor’s experience carries a powerful message for students who may feel that they have fallen behind their peers. Dropping out of school does not necessarily mean the end of an educational dream.
Failing to achieve a desired grade does not necessarily mean the end of a person’s ambitions and attending a school that may not have the biggest name does not automatically limit a student’s potential.
What matters is what happens after the setback. Her experience demonstrates that education does not always follow a straight path. It can involve interruptions, disappointments and unexpected opportunities.
The important thing is to keep moving forward.
‘Never give up’
Gavor concluded her reflection with a message of hope. She encouraged people not to give up, believing that difficult seasons can eventually lead to unexpected opportunities.
Her story is a reminder that a disappointing examination result can be one chapter rather than the final page.
From leaving school to eventually reaching university, Gavor’s experience highlights the importance of persistence, support and determination.
You can also read on how to improve your mathematics skills for exams.
Sometimes the road to success takes longer than expected but that does not mean you will not reach your destination.
This article is based on a personal reflection shared by Martha Koranteng Gavor on Facebook. The experiences and views expressed are those of the author.
