Sad to see a brilliant student go: Principal of Malvika’s old school

MUMBAI: Dadar Parsee Youths Assembly High School (DPYA), where Malvika Joshi studied before her parents decided to homeschool her, was sad to see the “brilliant”

MUMBAI: Dadar Parsee Youths Assembly High School (DPYA), where Malvika Joshi studied before her parents decided to homeschool her, was sad to see the “brilliant” student leave.

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Diana Pereira, the school’s principal, said, “When Malvika and her mother came to say goodbye, we were sad to know that she was going to leave the school. But we thought she was going to join another one.”

The school, however, is proud of the teenager’s accomplishment. “I remember Malvika distinctly. She has always been an excellent student. She is an extremely special child,” Pereira said.

DPYA is a co-education school established in 1960 and offers the SSC curriculum from nursery to Class 10.

Malvika, who studied in the school till Class 7, had visited the school this year to meet teachers and former classmates.

“She came to see us in June before she left for Chennai. We are really happy to know of her achievement. She has done everyone proud,” the school’s principal said.

“Her achievement shows that there is no need for degrees or certificates if you have impeccable intelligence and an undefeatable urge to do something,” said Pereira.

Speaking about Malvika, her school friend, Isha Vartak, said that she was proud of her success. “We have not been in touch for five years, but we exchanged email addresses when she came to meet us. To be honest, she was able to reach her potential only after leaving school,” said Isha.

Isha got 92.6% in her SSC exams and is now pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in statistics and psychology from St Xavier’s College, Fort.

Isha plans to do her Masters in Statistics. “Maths brought them close. They have been best friends from Class 3. Both the girls are hardworking, disciplined and focused,” said Isha’s mother, Rashmi.

She admired the decision taken by Supriya, Malvika’s mother, to homeschool her daughter. “Supriya always thought out-of-the-box. She also suggested that Isha, too, be homeschooled, but Isha wanted to follow the school curriculum,” Rashmi said.