Anipa Chandra said her son Aayaan Naidu’s ability to be a self-motivated student enabled him to be badged the Head boy of Gurukul Primary School in Lautoka last Friday.

Aayaan and the head girl Grace Vuniwakaya were among the 80 prefects badged. These prefects would be tasked to lead over 500 students attending the school.

“He’s always been the proactive type and was always engaged in his schoolwork which helped him do well and balance his leadership qualities with his academics. It’s just like we had provided him with a little bit of guidance, it was just inbuilt,” Ms Chandra said.

“To see your child thrive is one of the best things that a parent wants to see so it was overwhelming to see him there on the stage.”

The 13-year-old head boy said: “I faced a lot of challenges first being I wasn’t able to do my Year 6 paper and I wasn’t able to sit for my annual exam in Year 7, but I worked hard and got help from my parents and teachers, that’s why I’m here today and I dedicate my achievement to them.

Head girl Grace credited her leadership skills to her family’s stern teachings.

“I’m originally from Tailevu, Verata and my mother is from Galoa, Bua, Vanua Levu. At the moment I’m staying in Legalega, Nadi with my family and I dedicate this achievement to my grandmother for always advising me on the right path and to be a good leader,” she said.

Her father Esiki Tukana said he felt honoured to see his daughter badged as the head girl of a renowned school.

“It takes hard work and discipline, one of the things I remind her every day is to have discipline and to do everything to the best of her ability,” he said.

While officiating at the event, Pandit Vishnu Deo Memorial College Principal Ravindra Deo Varman urged the prefects to be mobile and visible while carrying out their duties.

The Deputy head prefects were Shania Nair and Pranav Pranay Mudaliar.

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