Lautoka Muslim College head girl Susana Veitawa says leadership is not about superiority, but the ability to empower the student body.

Susana is from Namalata, Tavuki in Kadavu. She was badged alongside head boy Sheik Sahib and 89 students during the prefects induction on Friday.

“It’s not about being superior, it’s about you being able to empower the powerless and using your power to create unity in the school and it’s a big milestone. I’m very proud for having this opportunity to lead the school,” she said.

Susana was an interim deputy head girl last year.

“We will focus more on discipline because then you can perform better in school work. We will change even the smallest thing if necessary,” she said.

“We’ll make the most of it since 2020 wasn’t a very smooth run. We hope that this year we’ll make vast changes to bring the school to where it needs to be.”

Sheik said he would assist teachers in achieving academic excellence.

“We’ll make sure we meet the school administrators target 100 per cent pass rate and help the teachers organise school functions,” he said.

He said his induction was a planned surprise for his parents.

“We didn’t tell our parents we were the heads it was a surprise for them. So when my name was announced I saw my parents, crying. It was really hard for me to hold my tears back, but whatever we do is for our parents, their happiness is the biggest trophy,” he said.

Chief guest Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts, Angeela Jokhan, emphasised the importance of respect.

“Every individual needs to be treated with respect no matter who they are, where they come from, what their job is or what their social standing is,” she said.

Edited by Ivamere Nataro

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