Visually-impaired student beats odds, scores high in final exams

Dubai: A visually-impared pupil has defied all the challenges and emerged tops in the mid-year final exams. Mais Ahmad Hamudi scored 97.8 per cent and was ranked among the top scorers.

The new educational system saw a record 40 per cent of students failing to make the cut.

"I don't think the finals were difficult," said an elated Mais Ahmad Hamudi. "Of course the exam was different from what we are accustomed to. The questions looked different and indirect but it was easy to work out the answers," she said. "It's all there in the new curriculum. One just had to think through and analyse more in these tests," said the 16-year-old who was applauded yesterday by Education Minister, Dr Hanif Hassan.

For Mais, her challenges, like many special needs pupils in the UAE, were in finding an institution or school that would accommodate her needs.

At a young age, she faced many difficulties while trying to cope in class as she had to rely on listening only, as her parents could not find any institution to teach her how to use Braille

The Palestinian family from Nablus had to leave the country to address the educational needs of their daughter. "We moved to Ramallah and (occupied) Jerusalem where I learned Braille at the Helen Killer School for the Blind from grade one to six. After completion, I was integrated into a regular school in grade seven. Following my one year in Ramallah we moved back to UAE where I was enrolled," said Mais.

Mais spoke of the challenges that special needs students have to endure in order to be accepted in schools or the general society.

The ambitious pupil spent a lot of time translating some of her books from written form to Braille, with the assistance of her parents and siblings. Books written in Braille are not easily supplied in schools, Mais says.

The talented student says her biggest concern now is to find a higher academic institution willing to accept her.

Her exceptional grades were highly praised by Dr Hanif Hassan, the education minister.

"Mais is an excellent example for all students and this is a great message for all students to make greater efforts in their studies and life. All members of the education ministry should give great concern and assistance to special needs students," the minister said.