Grandfather passes maths GCSE at age of 72

Kamal Askani received a grade 7 in his higher maths GCSE

A 72-year-old grandfather has passed his higher maths GCSE to show his grandchildren that "you are never too old to learn".

After retiring from a 40-year career in the oil industry in the Middle East, Kamal Askani decided it was time for a new challenge when he settled in Rotherham.

Despite facing language barriers, Mr Askani's hard work and perseverance paid off and he earned an impressive grade 7 in his exam.

Already setting himself a new milestone, Mr Askani said he hopes to go into teaching next, adding: "All of this knowledge, I need to just give to other people, I don't want to die and keep all this knowledge with myself."

His granddaughter Sahel Far, 25, said it was his work ethic and drive that had been "a big source of inspiration" for the family.

"Even when I was doing my GCSE maths he actually used to call me and FaceTime me with a whiteboard and show me how to do the equations," she recalled.

"So this is as far back as my memory goes of my grandad always being so studious and wanting to help us."

She added: "He's always pushed us to educate ourselves further and learn new things to just really say that if he can do it at 72, then we can all do it definitely as well."

'Motivating'

Mr Askani came to the UK during the coronavirus pandemic but said his children "didn't allow me to go back", so he decided to stay.

To keep busy, the former construction manager initially took up gardening but soon realised he wanted to return to education.

While he was by far the oldest person in his class, he said his classmates found it motivating to see him.

"They give respect to me and they see me and this actually motivates them, 'oh this guy is coming here, sitting here and learning'," he said.

"It was a good class and I enjoyed it."

He now wants to pass on all he has learned.

He said: "I'd like to teach in college or in school because of all of my knowledge which I gained during my 40 years of experience.

"Hopefully I start teaching if God gives me the chance to do that."

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North