At 39, Irene Jotika Nair returned to the classroom determined to prove that time away from school does not define a person’s future.
The Suva-born mother and transport operations manager is a recent graduate of the Matua Program at Nabua Secondary School, a pathway designed to help adults and youths resume their education after years away from formal learning.
For Ms Nair, that return came after a 22-year gap.
“I really wanted to study further and then the Matua program gave me another chance” she said.
The youngest of three siblings, Ms Nair grew up in Suva.
Her father has passed away, her brother lives in New Zealand and her sister remains in Fiji.
She completed Form 6 at Gospel High School in 2013 as a pure science student, studying biology, chemistry and physics.
Financial pressures, however, forced her to put her education on hold.
“We didn’t have that much income to go to school.
“So, I had to work and help support the family.”
She entered the workforce and spent 17 years in transport and logistics, eventually working as a transport operations manager, despite never formally studying for the role.
Marriage and family responsibilities followed, but the desire to return to education never disappeared.
In February last year, Ms Nair enrolled in the Matua Program, initially believing she needed to continue with science subjects to pursue teaching at university.
That assumption changed after a conversation overheard in a physics lab.
“My teacher told me, if you want to go into teaching, go the easier way.”
She made a complete shift from science to arts, taking up office technology, computer studies and home economics, all new subjects.
The results exceeded expectations.
“My marks were all in the 90s.
“I even broke school records for office technology, computer studies and home economics.”
She scored 97 in home economics, a subject she hoped to pursue further, before learning that the program had been discontinued at university level.
Ms Nair credits the Matua Program’s affordability and support for her success.
“At university foundation level, I would have paid about $3000.
“But Matua cost me only $121 for the whole year.”
She also praised the dedication of teachers and school leaders.
“They pushed us and assisted us every step of the way.
“Even after we finished, they still check on us.”
For Ms Nair, the program offers hope to women who missed out on education due to poverty or family obligations.
“This second chance is a big thing,” she said.
Ms Nair now plans to study at the University of the South Pacific, with ambitions to become an English literature teacher and possibly pursue inclusive education.
She said her message to young people, especially women facing financial hardship or early setbacks is “age is just a number”.
“If you are serious about your education, you can still achieve whatever you want.”
She hopes her journey will encourage others to believe the classroom door is never truly closed.
