WHEN Urmila Singh heard that she could be transferred to another school, she grew quiet.
Many teachers were still having their contracts renewed and schools to be confirmed by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in January this year.
Mrs Singh who served as head teacher of Naqali District School in Naitasiri for the past three years had grown attached to the school.
“My fellow staff teachers noticed my predicament and they said don’t worry we will pray for you,” she shared quietly.
“Even the villagers in the surrounding areas held a fast and prayer for me.”
Luckily, for Mrs Singh, her contract was renewed.
“I have been teaching for 23 years in various primary schools and was promoted as head teacher at Naqali District School in 2016,” she said.
“Life here at Naqali was a bit challenging at first because of the fact that it is a remote school and me being of Indian descent in a largely iTaukei school, I was a bit hesitant at how I would fare. But through the support of the community and my lovely staff, we managed to transform the school in having all the basic necessities such as a library and improving our staff quarters.”
We met Mrs Singh at the school as the students from the kindergarten to Year 8 held their prefects’ induction ceremony.
Observing the formalities which included students singing the national anthem in the English, iTaukei and Hindi languages, you couldn’t help but notice the close-knit relationship the villagers have with Mrs Singh and her teaching staff.
“I have tremendous support from the community,” said the head teacher.
“Especially from the landowners of Gusuisavu Village whose land the school is situated on. They have always stepped in to help us in terms of projects and this year we want to construct a new school hall. We have good pass rate in external exams and are no longer an underperforming school. My aim at Naqali is to to uplift the education. We take part in activities organised by the Ministry of Education and have won national competitions.”
Mrs Singh was born and raised in Batinikama, Labasa to a rural farming family.
She completed her teachers certificate at Lautoka Teachers College in 1996 and later a Bachelor in Education at the University of the South Pacific.
“My education life was not easy since we all worked hard to support our parents who used to sell vegetables at Labasa Market,” she smiled.
“And it is this experience that have helped me adapt here. Whenever I see the tiny little faces of my students, it makes me really emotional. Their poor family backgrounds melts my heart, sometimes we provide basic necessities to the students, even provide breakfast and lunch because they leave home as early as 6am. I treat Naqali as my home. I wish to continue serving this school until the ministry transfers me,” she said with finality.
