A mother-of-three who travelled once a week from Lautoka to Suva with her one-year-old son to attend classes was emotional yesterday as she paid tribute to her im­mediate family for helping her realise her dream.

Age was not a deterrent as Pamida Bano graduated with a Higher Education Certificate in Early Child­hood Education from the Fiji National University at the FMF National Gymna­sium yesterday.

Ms Bano, 39, is a mother-of-three who turned her passion for learning into reality.

She was among 25 other graduates with a certificate in Early Childhood Edu­cation. She lives at Simla, Lautoka, with her family.

Ms Bano formerly worked as an office clerk at Nadi Primary School and started pursuing her dream career in 2014 after graduating with a Certificate in Early Childhood Education from the University of the South Pacific.

Ms Bano said her passion towards children motivated her.

She described her weekly travel to Suva to attend classes as the most chal­lenging.

Her husband, Sheikh Nau­shad Nabi, a plumber by profession, became emo­tional as he watched his wife graduate yesterday.

Her spouse played an im­portant role during her studies as he looked after the children and paid her tertiary fees.

“I really appreciate what she has achieved today and am very thankful to God,” Mr Nabi said.

She dedicated her success to her family and her lectur­ers at FNU.

“I encourage everyone to study and achieve their goals because education never ends,” she urged.

She is a teacher at Lautoka Muslim Primary School.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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