In a display of extraordinary resilience and academic prowess, Sarah Moin, a 19-year-old student from Lucknow, has achieved a remarkable 98.75 per cent in the ISC Class 12 examinations, overcoming profound visual and hearing impairments.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that Sarah, who also battles a rare condition known as sarcoidosis, not only excelled but also emerged as one of the top performers in her school, securing 98.2 per cent when considering her best five subjects. Her academic achievements include perfect scores of 100 in Geography and Mass Media & Communication, 98 in English, 97 in History, and 96 in Psychology. She also received an A grade in SUPW and Community Service.
Sarah, a resident of the Hussain Ganj area of Lucknow, hails from a family that includes her father, Moin Ahmad Idris, her mother, Julee Hamid, and an elder brother who practices law as a high court lawyer. Her educational journey has been unconventional, adapting to her unique needs rather than conforming to standard classroom settings.
She pursued her studies at Christ Church College under the guidance of Principal Rakesh Chattree and special educator Salman Ali Qazi. The support she received extended beyond academic instruction to encompass vital areas of communication, accessibility, and daily learning tools, facilitating her engagement with the curriculum.
To navigate her studies, Sarah employs sophisticated assistive technologies, including a braille display and an Orbit Reader. These devices are crucial for converting digital content into a tactile format that she can read. At her residence, she utilizes similar technological aids, enabling her to independently read, write, and interact with computer systems, thus fostering continuous learning and skill development.
Teachers and peers at her institution have frequently drawn parallels between Sarah’s tenacity and the inspirational life of Helen Keller, often referring to her by that name. Helen Keller, an American author and advocate for disability rights, famously overcame blindness and deafness to become a global icon for individuals with disabilities, her life serving as a testament to the power of education and determination in overcoming severe sensory impairments.
Her father, Moin Ahmad Idris, shared with PTI that despite Sarah’s academic successes, aspiring to take competitive examinations continues to present significant challenges due to the prevalent lack of adequate accessibility provisions tailored for deaf-blind candidates. This situation highlights a broader systemic issue regarding inclusive examination frameworks for individuals with complex disabilities.
Speaking about her future aspirations, Idris stated that Sarah harbours ambitions of becoming an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer with the specific goal of dedicating her career to working for people, with a particular focus on the welfare of disabled children. This objective underscores her deep-seated desire to contribute positively to society and advocate for marginalized communities.
He further appealed to various examination bodies and educational authorities to consider allowing candidates like Sarah to utilize personal assistive devices such as laptops and braille displays. He emphasized that the current reliance solely on scribes is often insufficient and can hinder the accurate expression of a candidate’s knowledge and capabilities, particularly for those with complex sensory impairments.
Idris elaborated to PTI that in Sarah’s specific case, a scribe cannot fully or accurately capture the nuances of her answers, necessitating the use of accessible tools that enable her to express herself directly and comprehensively. This plea calls for a more flexible and accommodating approach to examination procedures for students with diverse learning needs.
Sarah previously achieved an impressive 94 per cent in her Class 10 examinations, demonstrating consistent academic excellence. She is currently preparing for the subsequent stages of her educational journey with the same unwavering determination that has already transformed her ISC results into a powerful narrative of inspiration for many.
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