A visually impaired student at Hornby High School in Kabale District has achieved a remarkable academic milestone after scoring 17 points in the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education examinations, emerging as the best performer at the school.
Speaking to the media following the release of the results on Friday, the deputy headteacher Elizabeth Kiiza said the school presented 30 candidates for the examinations last year.
Out of these, five were learners with visual impairments and other special needs.
Kiiza revealed that one of the visually impaired boys scored 17 points, a performance that qualifies him for government sponsorship to pursue further studies at the university level.
“I want to encourage the visually impaired students who passed to continue with their education. Now they have a chance to benefit from government sponsorship,” Kiiza said.
She also called on parents to continue supporting their children to achieve higher levels of education despite the challenges they may face.
“I also call on parents to keep supporting their children to achieve higher levels of education despite any challenges they may encounter,” she added.
Kiiza noted that the school’s overall performance improved compared to the previous year.
According to her, the other 25 candidates scored between 10 and 15 points, reflecting steady academic progress among the learners.
She attributed the improved performance to the dedication, hard work and commitment demonstrated by the students throughout the academic year.
Kiiza particularly praised the learners with special needs, noting that although they often require more time and specialised support to grasp their studies, they remained determined and focused on achieving their academic ambitions.
She said the achievement of the visually impaired student serves as an inspiration to other learners facing similar challenges, proving that disability is not a barrier to academic success.
