At the age of 39, Irene Jotika Nair has proven that the time spent away from education does not dictate one’s future potential. A transport operations manager by profession, Nair recently celebrated her graduation from the Matua Program at Nabua Secondary School, designed to facilitate the return of adults and youths to formal education after long absences.
Nair’s educational journey was interrupted for 22 years, a period during which she took on various responsibilities. Growing up in Suva as the youngest of three siblings, she faced financial challenges that compelled her to pause her studies after completing Form 6 at Gospel High School in 2013, where she focused on the sciences. “We didn’t have that much income to go to school, so I had to work and help support the family,” she explained. This decision led her to spend 17 years in the transport and logistics sector, ultimately becoming a transport operations manager without formal education credentials.
Although marriage and family obligations took precedence, Nair always held onto the dream of returning to school. Her opportunity came in February last year when she enrolled in the Matua Program, initially believing she needed to continue with her science subjects to pursue teaching. However, a pivotal moment during a lab conversation shifted her focus. “My teacher told me, if you want to go into teaching, go the easier way,” she recalled, leading her to switch to arts subjects.
Through the Matua Program, Nair excelled, achieving marks in the 90s and setting school records in office technology, computer studies, and home economics. Despite discovering that the latter had been discontinued at the university level, her determination did not falter. Nair highlighted the program’s affordability and the unwavering support from teachers as key contributors to her success. “At university foundation level, I would have paid about $3000, but Matua cost me only $121 for the whole year,” she noted.
Nair’s experience in the Matua Program is not just a personal achievement but a beacon of hope for women who have faced educational barriers due to financial constraints or familial responsibilities. She now plans to further her studies at the University of the South Pacific, aspiring to become an English literature teacher and advocate for inclusive education.
Her message to young people, especially women enduring hardships, is clear: “Age is just a number.” Nair firmly believes that with dedication and a commitment to education, anyone can achieve their goals, and she hopes her story will inspire others to believe that the doors to learning are never truly closed.
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