Kolar, 18 March

In an example of grit amidst challenges, an ailing tenth standard student arrived in an ambulance to sit for the Senior School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) exams at the St Joseph School in Kolar Goal Fields (KGF) on Wednesday.

Kusuma, a student of St Mary’s High School in KGF, had met with an accident about seven months ago and underwent a major leg and hip surgery. After she developed some infections, she was rushed to Aster Hospital at Whitefields in Bengaluru. Doctors say she requires two more surgeries to get back on her feet again.

As she could not attend her regular classes, her parents had sought permission from the school authorities to continue her studies at home. The teachers sent her the notes on her mobile. She sent back her completed work to her teachers.

Kusuma, who was confined to her bed with no mobility, sought permission from the State Education Department to allow her to write the exams. 

After reviewing the relevant medical reports, the Kolar Deputy Director of School Education permitted her to appear for the examinations as per the norms prescribed by the Board. 

Kusuma was accompanied by her mother, Sudha, to the examination centre, where she wrote the Kannada paper with the help of a scribe provided by the department.