It was a success-against-all-odds story for the toppers in SSLC examinations of various special schools in the city. While a few battled poverty, others overcame their disability to emerge as winners.
For L. Sukanya, student of Little Flower Convent for Blind, scoring 481 in the SSLC examinations, results of which were declared on Wednesday, is the first step towards pursuing her aspiration of joining the Civil Services. Daughter of a jewellery shop employee, she did her primary education in a matriculation school until she realised she could not cope up with the mainstream academics. “I was made to stay in the hostel at the Convent. Initially, it was painful to study in a special school. Now, I am grateful,” says Sukanya.
However, despite a centum in mathematics, she does not have much option. “I have to choose commerce, as science is not part of the syllabus in special schools for blind,” she says. K. Priyanka from the same school scored 484, which is the highest total so far for the 83-year-old school. She battled out a string of academic and societal challenges right from her primary classes with her “perseverance and self-confidence,” as her teachers put it.
J. Abirami from the Little Flower Convent for Deaf secured 373 (out of 400), which her mother said “was result of her diligence and commitment.” The Government School for Blind recorded a 100 per cent pass this year, with 26 students appearing for the examination. P. Saravanan and R. Selvam from the school top scored with 435.
“This year has seen a jump both in the top score and in the pass percentage and we hope to see a consistent increase in the performance of the students,” says Bro. John Xavier, Headmaster, St. Louis School for Deaf and Blind. The school has recorded a 100 per cent pass, with P. Narasimhan topping the list with a score of 456.
