There is no inherent limit to when someone can learn or benefit from education. 

Take for example the case of AJ Sumampong. AJ is an 18-year-old pupil who enrolled for second grade at the Buhisan Elementary School in Cebu City.

His classmates are ages seven to eight years old, but AJ is confident he will best serve as “kuya” (elder brother) to his young classmates.

On the first day of classes for School Year 2025-2026 on June 16, AJ participated actively in the reading and pronunciation  exercises on the English alphabet.

AJ showed prowess as well in penmanship, or the art of writing by hand, specifically with attention to the style and form of the letters. Interestingly, AJ writes legibly.

While there is an impression that AJ has a learning development delay, but according to the assessment done by his class adviser, Mena Juanich, AJ is doing good on his first day in class and has not demonstrated any difficulty in learning.

Teacher Mena vouched that AJ has the capacity of a regular pupil who can understand and perform tasks related to class lessons. In fact, she said, AJ can answer directly her questions, and his answers are always on point.

When AJ was asked why it took him long to finish grade school, he said that his parents assigned him to take care of his siblings while they are eking out a living.

AJ said that it might take him too long again to pursue his studies, but the pace does not botter him anymore, as he now has a clear vision of his career goal – that is to become a policeman.