Balasore: A father-son duo, both school dropouts, this year cleared the matriculation exams, the results of which came out on Monday.

While Arun Kumar Bej, 58, passed the exam 46 years after dropping out, his son, Biswajit Bej, 29, cleared it 14 years after leaving school. They are the residents of Jaleswar. The duo appeared for the exam from the same centre and secured grade B-2 (342 marks out of total 500 marks).

"I left studies at the age of 12, when I was in Class VII as I couldn't afford it after the demise of my father. Now, I am 58 years old. My younger son, Biswajit, left studies in 2004 after he had failed in the English paper in Class X. When I insisted him on clearing the matriculation, he asked me why I don't do it too?" said Arun.

"So, I accepted the challenge and studied under the open school learning system. Classes were conducted three days a week. It is a mere coincidence that both of us scored 342 marks. Although we both appeared from the same centre, our rooms were separate. The marks in the individual subjects are different. I am very happy that I have cleared the exam, and so is my son. Everyone in my locality is congratulating me," he said.

Arun is now the vice-president of the BJP's district unit.

"I can't stop appreciating his dedication and efforts to clear the matriculation exam at this age. We salute his endeavour," said Rajaram Mohapatra, a political colleague of Bej. This year, Balasore district again shined in the matriculation exam results. The district heads the list considering the pass percentage - 88.15 per cent - against the state average of 76.23 per cent.

"This is the fourth year in a row that we have emerged the topper in terms of pass percentage with 88.15 per cent. It is a proud moment for our district," said district education officer H.K. Kandi.