Against all odds, Kavita earns her diploma in Special and Inclusive Education

Kavita Kriti Singh crossed the graduation stage yesterday with a Diploma in Special and Inclusive Education from the Fiji National University, a moment she describes as the triumph of years of sheer determination.

For Ms Singh, who lives with an eye disability, the achievement is more than an academic credential.

It is the realisation of a long-held dream to one day stand in front of a classroom and teach children living with disabilities, students whose struggles she understands deeply.

“I have a passion for disability because I am a person with a disability,” she said. “My hard work has paid off despite all the challenges I faced.”

Her journey has been anything but easy. Kavita navigated campus life with mobility challenges, juggled work commitments, and pushed through long nights of study — often sacrificing sleep to keep up.

Yet she never allowed setbacks to derail her progress, completing her diploma within four years, a milestone she carries with pride.

One of her toughest hurdles came early on: finding a substitute for a compulsory Hindi unit. Although of Indian descent, she never attended mainstream school.

“I went to a special school, so we did not do Hindi,” she explained.

“I had to look for a totally different unit and get approval. That was a hassle.”

Balancing employment with academic expectations tested her endurance even further.

“You have to prioritise, and sometimes you have to sacrifice,” she said.

“But to score good grades, you have to work hard.”

Now employed at the FNU Disability Centre, Ms Singh hopes to continue her studies if a degree programme in Special and Inclusive Education becomes available.

Her long-term goal is clear: to become a teacher and advocate for children with diverse learning needs.

Yesterday’s ceremony was bittersweet. Her mother was unwell and unable to attend, but Ms Singh said the day still stands as one of the proudest moments of her life — a reminder that perseverance, faith, and hard work can turn even the steepest climb into a celebration.