American motivational speaker and author Eric Thomas once said “Where there is no struggle, there is absolutely no progress.”
That idea seems to aptly sum up the journey of rough and tumble experience by retired educator, Sakiusa Tubuna (Snr) Originally from Suvavou, Rewa, with maternal links to the Solomon Islands, 82-year-old Mr Tubuna is gifted with knowledge and wisdom.
The father of four relayed the story of the life he was born into and the impact it had on him.
He was in his mother’s belly when his father sadly passed away, robbing him and his three siblings the chance of ever experiencing their father’s love.
After his dad’s demise, Mr Tubuna’s maternal family traditionally asked for his mother’s return to her home.
She agreed, only to face life’s cruel realities. But those struggles did not keep Mr Tubuna down.
After successfully completing his primary education, he went on to pursue his secondary studies at Ratu Kadavulevu School in Tailevu, with the province of Rewa’s sponsorship.
He said he completed his final year at Queen Victoria School, this time paid for by his mother.
“My mother was having difficulties paying my fees,” said Mr Tubuna.
“I was constantly chased by the school administration for fee payment delays.”
“At the age of 19, I had my first work experience at a port here in Suva and I was able to pay for my tertiary studies at the Nasinu Teachers College for secondary education through my hard-earned money.”
Before completing teacher training, Mr Tubuna was selected to teach at RKS for two years and later joined Saint John Primary School in Wailoku, where he was later promoted to head teacher.
He got transferred to Naseva District School, Tonia, Tailevu and did further studies at Corpus Christi Teachers College for a year.
His first experience in the maritime islands came soon after, with a posting to Yasayasa Moala Junior Secondary for 5 years, where he achieved exceptional pass rate for his Fiji Junior Examination students.
The buildup of his exceptional record and further extension studies at the University of the South Pacific showed prospects of an administrative role in the education fraternity.
Tubuna said that by the time he had three young boys, he had decided it was best to relocate to the mainland.
Then her got transferred to Naiyala Junior Secondary School and was later appointed vice principal at All Saints Secondary School in Labasa.
During his tenure in Macuata, he was accepted to further his studies at the University of New England, Australia, with sponsorship from the Fijian Affairs Board.
So he jointly made a decision with his wife to sell their house fund their children’s studies and relocate overseas with their three children.
His son, Sakiusa Tubuna Jr. (now a government minister), who was still in high school at the time, joined them later in the year.
Upon his return to Fiji, he was posted as the division educational officer Central and then served in the west of Fiji in later years.
Tubuna was the director of USP Fiji Center until his retirement at the age of 64.
“Laziness is the biggest barrier to achieving great things,” he said.
“At church, I always remind our youths in Muanikoso to draw inspiration from people who were once in their shoes.
“I believe proper guidance and support from home is a key factor in addressing social issues nowadays.”
