Labasa Sangam (SKM) College Dux chooses academics over head boy role

Dishal Chand sacrificed the chance to become head boy at Labasa Sangam (SKM) College to pursue a bigger goal, becoming the Year 13 dux.

At the school’s prizegiving yesterday, the youngest of two siblings said he had set his sights on the dux award because he believed he could put a year’s worth of knowledge and skills to the test.

“My ambition is to join the engineering field, and this requires a lot of accuracy and knowledge,” the Tuatua, Labasa, student said.

He thanked his parents, Satishwar Chand and Ronika Devi, for supporting his education and his late-night study routine.

The 18-year-old said that after returning home from school, he would rest before waking up at 10pm to study until 4am.

He preferred the quiet hours of the night, saying they allowed him to focus without distraction.

“There is no reward without hard work, that is what I have learnt this year,” he said.

He encouraged his peers to trust in their abilities and make necessary adjustments, even if it meant changing sleeping hours.

Dishal scored 463 out of 500 in the annual examination to secure the dux award.