Ravetau Balances Priorities to Graduate

Mereseini Ravetau was determined to upgrade her qualifications, and after eight years of hard work, she successfully completed her Bachelor of Education with a major in biology and chemistry.

Nothing could stop her from achieving her goal.

The mother of one completed her diploma in teaching in 2016 and was posted to Richmond High School in Kadavu then to Adi Maopa Secondary School, Vanuabalavu, in the Lau Group.

As a science teacher she needed to upgrade her knowledge. She requested for transfer back to Viti Levu to enrol at the Fiji National University for her degree.

“Balancing motherhood, teaching and studying is no easy journey,” Ms Ravetau said.

“To be a better teacher it was necessary that I have the qualifications and I am grateful to the Ministry of Education for the opportunity to do this course,” the Dravuni, Ono, Kadavu teacher said.

Ms Ravetau, 32, described the journey as rewarding after initially starting with the distance and flexible leaning course eight years ago.

Along the journey she found it hard to cope with her studies because of the geographical location of the school she was posted at.

Once she was back in Viti Levu she was able to set her timetable in 2020 and worked towards completing her course that by 2024 she would be graduating.

“I’m currently teaching in Namosi Secondary School, but to juggle both teaching and studying it was a bit challenging,” she said.

“It was tough to be coming down from Namosi on specific days to attend evening classes. I was going to give up but luckily I had a supportive husband and family.

“Deadlines were a challenge but I was determined and here I am – I now have a degree.”

She was one of 422 students who graduated yesterday at the Vodafone Arena; 168 graduates were men.

Meanwhile, 1592 students will be conferred their certificates, diplomas and degrees at the Fiji National University graduation ceremonies This month. Out of this, 861 are females while 731 are males.

President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere was chief guest. Ratu Wiliame said women continued to break barriers and stereotypes.

“And I have no doubt that the number of women graduates from FNU will continue to increase,” Ratu Wiliame said.

“This is not to undermine us men, but to challenge us to acquire high education qualification. The numbers also are indeed a motivation to school girls to be part of the FNU academic.”

He told graduates although they had reached the pinnacle of their academic journey there was still room to pursue ahead.

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