Parents' struggle pays off

It does not always have to be the highest grade to make parents proud. Mumu's parents are an example.

“It is more than 'golden' GPA-5 to us,” said Eqramul Hafiz Khan, the father of Nabila Hafiz Khan Mumu, a girl with autism and speech impairment.

She secured GPA-3.58 in the Primary School Certificate (PSC) examinations this year, from Railway Hospital Colony City Corporation High School and College.

“Our struggle began since her early childhood.  We took her to various places at home and abroad for treatment,” said Rokeya, the girl's mother.

“To raise my daughter, I also took training on various subjects like speech therapy, sign language, and autism.”

This correspondent caught up with Mumu's parents at their residence in Enayetbazar of Chittagong city yesterday.

Rokeya went on, “Mumu was born on January 7, 1999. When she was two years old, we slowly started to know about her problems.”

“My daughter was admitted to different schools, but she could not adjust with others,” she said.

Later Mumu was supervised by Chittagong Autistic Society.

In 2013, she enrolled at class III at the railway hospital colony's school, Rokeya said.

“I feel that today is a special day for me. I think I my struggle paid off.”

She also thanked others for their cooperation.

“I want her to continue with her study,” Rokeya said.

She urged the government to prepare a separate curriculum for the students like her daughter.

She said, “None should neglect these children.”

Uttam Kumar Acharjee, principal of the school, said Mumu did not participate in the classes but she did well in the exams.

“We always try to put emphasis on such students so that they do not think they are different from others,” he said.