No child should be underestimated – Principal Chandra

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Fiji Society for the Blind (FSB) School principal Sharmila Chandra (back left) with her students of FSB. Picture: IAN CHUTE

No child should ever be underestimated, says Fiji Society for the Blind (FSB) School principal, Sharmila Chandra.

She made the comment after questions by the media on the academic performance of students at the FSB School and the opportunities for them in the workforce, at the handover of a consignment of white canes and braille paper, valued at about FJ$10,000.

Ms Chandra said she was proud of the students at her school and that having teaching experience in mainstream school she has observed the students of the FSB School to be more persevering.

“When I compare the students in this school to those in the mainstream schools, these students work harder than them,” she said.

“From what I have seen they are much more talented and they perform better academically.

“We should never underestimate any child who is disabled or has a disability.”

She said what the students lacked in their ability to see, they made up for in their academic performance.

“They may not have been given the gift of sight but they are intelligent and excel in their studies.”

She said that most of the students who complete year eight studies had moved on and joined mainstream schools to complete their secondary education and into tertiary institutions.

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