Farmer, 52, returns to school as Year One student

A 52-year-old Filipino farmer has not let his age stop him from gaining an education, returning to school as a Year One student.

Joseph Alba decided to return to Vicmico Elementary School, in the Philippines province of Negros Occidental, after becoming too old to work on sugar cane farms, ABS-CBN News reports.

Mr Alba had reportedly attended school as a child, but left when he was in Year Three because his parents died.

He then spent decades working on sugar cane farms, but stopped and took a job as a home helper when he became too old to bear the heat.

He works for Susan Pasingca, who noticed that Mr Alba had been closely observing her daughter's Year Two homework.

The Pasingcas then helped Mr Alba enrol at the school, and purchased uniforms for him.

Mr Alba said he wants to at least complete Year Six, and wishes to teach children about the importance of reading. He said his education would make it easier for him to read street signs and directions.