My name is Monica Peiris and I am currently the Vice Principal of The School for the Blind, Ratmalana. I enrolled in the school in 1979 directly to grade 5 without having any knowledge of Braille just like any other child. But, the teachers were determined to get me up to speed and, as a result, I was taught braille within a month!
After passing my Ordinary Level examination successfully, I joined Princess of Wales, Moratuwa to continue my Advanced Level education. From the 40 students in my class, I was the only one during my year who was able to get into University!
I graduated from the University of Sri Jayawardenapura with a 1st class Honours in a Bachelor of Arts degree, and thereafter came back to The School for the Blind to serve as a teacher before being appointed as the Vice Principal in 2018.
My advice to all parents is this: if you have children with visual impairment, do not hesitate or be scared to send you child here to learn. When you enrol your child in this school, you give us the opportunity to create an independent person, someone with a good personality that won’t be a weight to themselves, their family or society, someone who gains the opportunity to develop their talents, interests, skills.