Speech, hearing-impaired Riya steps forward to fulfil her dream

Speech and hearing impaired student Sumaiya Rahman Riya is ambitious. Asked in writing what she'd like to do for a career, she picks up pen to write: "While many students like me pursue fine arts at a higher level I want to be a banker." She also wants to learn computers, to be adept at information technology, adds her father.

With the completion of her Secondary School Certificate this year at the Armed Police Battalion School and College of Bogra town, having achieved a GPA 5+ result in the science group, Riya has completed another important step towards fulfilling her dream.

"I have never seen such a brilliant disabled student during my teaching career," says Armed Police Battalion School and College principal Tofazzal Hossain. "She has demonstrated great intelligence and merit. Competing against our other students she even achieved a scholarship in classes 5 and 8."

Of course when it comes to the question of where to study for her Higher School Certificate, Riya has her own idea. She is enrolled in class 11 at the Government Mujibur Rahman Women's College in Bogra for the 2016-17 academic year and her classes started on 10 July. But she'd rather attend the Government Azizul Haque College.

To this end, with the permission of Azizul Haque's principal she has started attended classes there in anticipation of formal enrolment. She is also waiting on the approval of her guardians to attend the college of her choice.

According to Riya's classmates, she is good at deciphering the gestures of her teachers during class. She is able to catch the meaning of lectures and understand subjects, assisted by diligent and persistent study of her textbooks at home. After each class she has a friend write the subject matter of the lesson and the homework to direct her study at home; it's a result of her concerted efforts that brilliant exam results follow. Besides, Riya has a cheerful disposition, her classmates say.

The younger of the two daughters of trader Jahidur Rahman, who owns a stationery store in Bogra's Talukdar Market, Riya is meritorious not only in her study but also in extra-curricular activities including painting. According to her father she has been awarded at least 80 prizes with crests, medals and certificates from different organisations.

"She initially learnt the alphabet from a dedicated teacher," recalls Riya's mother Masuma Rahman Shanti. "After that she could follow any instruction, from us or other teachers or even her friends. She has enduring determination to reach her dream to become a banker."

From the age of two, Riya's parents understood their daughter had disabilities, and they undertook great efforts to secure her effective treatment, but ultimately an American doctor told them to expect at best 25% improvement with a machine implanted in her body. At that point they decided not to proceed.

"Riya's father finally contacted me about her enrolment," says Government Azizul Haque College Shams-ul Alam Joy. "It looks as if she may be transferred according to the usual admission regulations for colleges, which will see her take priority since she is physically impaired." It's good news for Riya, but then, for a student as determined and capable as she is, can it be a surprise should she manage to secure a place in the college of her choice?