Blind but they just love books
Visual impairment not a hindrance when it comes to reading
KUALA LUMPUR: Losing his eyesight about the same time he learnt to walk did not stop Kong Meng Fatt from developing a love for reading.
That passion eventually led him to win the 2018 Nilam Special Education Award in the visually impaired category.
The 11-year-old from SK Pendidikan Khas Jalan Batu here was diagnosed with cancer in both eyes when he was just over a year old.
Doctors tried to save at least one eye with rounds of chemotherapy but the efforts were in vain.
“I love learning and reading, and can read two books a day,” he said, adding that he reads books from the school’s library.
The single child also enjoys playing the piano and is at Grade Three now.
His mother Jenny Tham Chooi Peng said Meng Fatt is rarely seen without a book when he is at home.
“He will even be reading while waiting to go to school in the morning,” said the housewife.
Although she also knows Braille, she said her son is an independent boy who does not require any help with reading.
Another winner of the same award is Saw Xin En, 13, also an avid reader.
The student from SK Pendidikan Khas Sungai Petani, Kedah, who was born blind on one eye, said she does not use Braille but reads regular text.
“But I have to hold the reading material really close to my face,” she said, adding that she reads at least two books a day, with a fondness for Bahasa Malaysia novels.
Her mother Goh Siew Kee said her daughter normally reads books borrowed from school.
During the award ceremony, Education director-general Datuk Dr Amin Senin said the ministry wants to inculcate a reading habit among students as it will help develop an inquisitive mind.
“An inquisitive mind leads to higher-order thinking skills.
“HOTS allows students not only to analyse and apply knowledge but also use creativity and innovation to solve problems,” he said.
Both Meng Fatt and Xin En received RM500 and a certificate each together with four other students in the special education category.
Another 20 students from all over Malaysia received awards in the mainstream education category.