Visually impaired student receives top awards in school

A STUDENT representative council president with disability (vision impaired) was awarded the dux and leadership awards at the Mother of Divine Shepherd Kumin Primary School in Mendi on Wednesday.
Kopex Timox was the first person to be elected as a student representative council president in Southern Highlands regardless and was recipient of the grade 8 dux and leadership awards during the 31st graduation ceremony, 131 grade 8 students graduated.
Former Mendi MP Isaac Joseph said the school near Mendi town was a role model in giving the best to students in such category, with support from Callan Resource Centre.
He said Timox’s dynamic personality and commitment to learning allowed him to create great relationships with teachers and his fellow students and has made his family, the school and others at the graduation proud.
“Timox is a role model to others in similar situation,” Joseph said.
“It is rare, many students in his category do not represent fellow students as student representative council president and receive awards.
“This positive story shows the passion, love and respect teachers and students at the school show,” he said.
School principal Catherine Kanowi said the level 8 school had nearly 20 students with disability among 1,200 students.
“Many of them are students with light disabilities but Timox was completely blind,” she said.
“His condition did not stop him from becoming successful in the first stage of education.
“He is a special child and his achievement has made us (teachers) proud. “We will miss him and wish him good luck in his next chapter of life.”
Timox thanked his school’s staff, students and the Callan Resource Centre for supporting him.
He said people should not look at his disability but his ability.