Bandipora, Jan 14 (KNS): While Wednesday's Class 10 results across the Kashmir Valley were celebrated with lists of toppers and high achievers, a single third-division result from Onagam village in North Kashmir's Bandipora district emerged as a narrative of profound resilience, highlighting an often-overlooked metric of educational success.
Saqib, a student of Government High School Onagam, secured a third division in the matriculation examination—an outcome that would typically escape notice. Instead, it has drawn local attention for the exceptional circumstances that defined his nearly decade-long schooling journey.
Saqib lost both his parents while in Class 4, a tragedy that shattered his family life and severely disrupted his education. In the ensuing years, his academic performance remained fragile and his school attendance inconsistent, casting significant doubt on whether he would remain within the formal education system at all.
Faced with this challenge, the school’s strategy shifted decisively from academic performance to student retention. Under the leadership of then-headmaster Javid Jawad, the priority became ensuring Saqib's continued presence in school, adherence to routine, and gradual reintegration into classroom life.
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“Academic targets were consciously moderated to align with his emotional recovery and stability,” Jawad explained. “From Class 4 through Class 8, progress was incremental. We first saw improved attendance, then participation in school activities. While his scores remained modest, the critical achievement was his continued progression through the grades without disengaging from the system entirely.”
By the time Saqib reached secondary classes, the immediate threat of dropping out had diminished. Teachers observed greater regularity and commitment, even as he did not rank among high scorers. The institutional focus had firmly settled on the completion of his schooling cycle rather than competitive achievement.
This Class 10 result signifies the culmination of that sustained effort. For the school, it represents the successful shepherding of a once-vulnerable student through a full course of schooling—a victory not reflected on merit lists, but in perseverance. (KNS)