Chakradharpur MLA Sukhram Oraon (right) and his son Sunny (left) at their residence. Telegraph picture

May 7: A 20-year-long break from school failed to prevent Chakradharpur MLA Sukhram Oraon from clearing the matriculation examination with his son and also secure a first division. Oraon is the first legislator in the state to have appeared at matriculation examination after being elected to the Assembly.

Scared that people will accuse him of misusing his official position, Oraon had decided to appear for the matriculation examination this year outside his constituency, at Chaibasa. He suffered from bouts of anxiety, he conceded today, but news that he has secured 300 out of 500 marks, obtaining a first division in the process, prompted him to let down his hair.

It was celebration time at Chakradharpur, he said over the telephone, since both he and his son, Sanjeev, have passed together. Today being Sanjeev’s birthday, said the proud father, the announcement of the result has added to the family’s happiness.

While his son secured 64 more marks than him, the MLA’s brother, Sukhdev, had to be content with a second division. Brother-in-law Basudev, who too had appeared at the exam, however, had not yet found out how he had fared.

The MLA secured 75 per cent marks in science and 67 per cent marks in English, a subject which was not among his personal favourites. Social science fetched him 53 per cent while in Hindi his hard work earned him 52 per cent. Sanskrit, which he earlier admitted was his weakest link, brought 46 per cent marks, Even in mathematics, he has secured 49 per cent marks.

But Jharkhand Academic Council’s website www.jharkhand.nic.in revealed that the MLA had actually fallen four marks short of 60 per cent. But in all such cases, the council is authorised to increase the marks up to a maximum of five marks. It, therefore, allowed four marks to enable Oraon to get a first division.

There are MLAs, Oraon said, who cannot even sign. Therefore he wanted to show that education is important for even politicians. This is just the beginning, he declared. He now plans to study in a Manoharpur college for his graduation. “It will be difficult to attend classes for more than twice a week,” he asserted. But since he does visit Manoharpur for party work, he hoped it would enable him to attend some classes.

The result, says Oraon, has made him happy but he is not satisfied with the marks. “I did not feel bad about appearing with examinees of my son’s age. Age should not be a bar to education,” reflected Oraon.

“My son is 10 steps ahead when it comes to education and that gives me immense pleasure,” said the elated MLA, who has been flooded with congratulatory messages.