When the lamp of learning lights up
NIVEDITA GANGULY
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A group of visually handicapped girls has passed the SSC exam with flying colours.
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PHOTO: K.R. DEEPAK
The world is ours: At the school
Their grit and determination are a witness to the fact that physical disability can in no way come in the path of success. This year too, the students of Government Residential School for visually challenged girls have proved just that. Maintaining last year’s record, the school got 100 per cent result in the SSC exams this year. “Twelve students appeared for the exams this summer and all of them passed out with good marks," said school principal Nimton Babu. T
he highest scorer was I. Revathy who secured 472 marks out of 600. Out of the 12, three students got first division, two passed in second division and four students cleared the exam in third division.
Clear hurdles
The school for visually challenged girls is a home to many students. The first batch of the school that took the SSC exams was in 1996. Since then, the school has managed to achieve 100 per cent result every year despite many hurdles like lack of staff and proper infrastructure and a paucity of funds. For many years, there has been no regular teacher for Maths in the school. There are no sufficient textbooks of Maths and Physics for higher classes. “These are the subjects feared by most students. And the girls being visually challenged, the effort becomes double,” Nimton Babu said. While the total number of sanctioned posts for teachers is 20, the school has to manage with only 10. “There is a lacuna in the entire administrative procedure but unfortunately the only ones who suffer are these students,” he added. The school has mobilised funds from other sources to depute a teacher on a temporary basis. While problems like these are a stumbling block most often the dreams of these girls are shattered due to lack of support from the family members especially when they are forced to discontinue their studies. “We give them counselling from time to time so that they get some motivation to pursue their goals and are able to lead an independent life,” he said. The school also imparts training in various vocational skills like candle making, photo lamination, computer training and the making of plastic wire bags.
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