4 SISTERS GET TOP ACADEMIC PRIZES
Eldest is dux, siblings top their classes in same primary school
Four sisters are the talk of the bustling Baulevu farming community in Naitasiri. On Saturday they took top awards, including dux, in their respective classes at Koroqaqa Primary School.
This is the first time that four students from one family have won the top academic awards in that school.
Year 8 Dux Kajol Singh, 14, says her ambition to be an open heart surgeon is her sole motivation.
“I hear it is a great need here in Fiji,” she said.
Her three sisters, Kristi Karishma Singh, 7, in Year 2, Dipashna Diranjali Singh, 11, in Year 6 and Jaslyn Jessica Singh, 12, in Year 7 have not decided on their dream jobs yet, but are very proud of their achievements as top students.
Their father, Ram Sudesh Singh, 43, and mother Devina Devi, 38, are now celebrating their daughters’ success. The four girls are their only children.
The family survives from income from a small home-based printing business in Baulevu, called Computer Typing Services.’ Mr Singh went to the same school and said he could not hide his joy over her girls’ achievement.
He paid tribute to his wife Ms Devi, whom he said was the key person behind the girls’ success.
Mr Singh did basic accounting after Year 12, at the University of the South Pacific and then later proceeded with Fundamental of Graphic Designing in Fiji National University.
Mr Singh said: “We have financial struggles at times, but we always make sure that our children do not get affected.
“I am very proud of my four daughters. I encourage them to take part in everything and I am always there for them in good and bad times.”
Ms Devi said that she had hoped her oldest would achieve the dux award. “Every year I see other students receiving the dux award, and so I prayed that one day my daughter would also get an award for her hard work,” she said.
“My daughters have always been in the position 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
“Not having a son does not make a difference because my daughters are more capable than boys.”
Ms Devi said when her daughters returned home from school each day, she made sure that everything was prepared for them, including their meals.
“They have a rest and straight to study.” Kajol said was astonished when her name was announced as the dux.
She scored 480/500 in her final exams, which exceeded her expectations.
“I am sure I will be able to achieve my dreams through constant support from family and friends,” she said.
“I feel proud winning the prize today because I have really worked hard for it from the beginning of this year.”
Kajol said that she faced a lot of difficulties in mathematics, but her parents helped her through constant equation-solving every night.
“My parents guided me throughout my life and I always worked towards making them happy,” she said.
Speaking about her sisters, she said: “I want them to help each other and work hard to be successful in life and help our parents financially in future.
“I dedicate my success to my parents and my friends.”
Kajol aims to attend Baulevu High School next year.