The love of children sparked Irena Tuilovoni’s interest in pursuing a teaching career.

Many schools and generations of students later, the 53-year-old is still at it, providing educational experiences that allow students to survive in the world beyond their classrooms.

The head teacher of Nasau District School in Ra says her love for “molding children to be future leaders” continue to ignite her passion for teaching.

Nasau District School has nine teachers who look after 261 children from about 11 villages.

“I love the children and consider them as my own,” she said during an interview at the Fijian Teachers Association annual delegates conference in Suva.

“Even though I have kids, my students are my priority.”

Like any other school located in the highlands, NDS faces some of the greatest educational challenges for children and their families. Students have to walk or travel long and dangerous journeys to school.

A drive to the school takes over an hour and covers up to 22 kilometres of gravelly road.

“If we miss the carrier at 2pm, you must pay $80 from Waimicia (which is a small community on the Kings Highway) to get to our school but if there’s three or four of us then we split the fare.

“I have three children and four grandchildren. I am away from my family five days at a time and see them when I go down on Friday.”

Ms Tuilovoni stays with another teacher at the school during weekdays. As the head of the school, her day starts early.

“A typical day for me starts at 3am, that’s when I have my prayer time. By 7am I am in the office welcoming children because that’s when the first carrier arrives after doing student pickups from the 11 villages.

“Then I teach in class and do other administrative work.”

Hours of teaching can be physically and mentally demanding. To stay on top of things, Ms Tuilovoni has to take care of her health and wellbeing. She does this by meeting and engaging in a few rounds of card games with close friends.

Looking back, Ms Tuilovoni believes she has enjoyed a rewarding and extensive teaching career, mostly spent in rural area areas. Her first posting was Vugalei District School in Naimasimasi, Tailevu.

She said one of the main challenges faced by most teachers posted to rural areas was the issue of connectivity.

“It’s very challenging when there is no internet connection. Even when you must call your loved ones you have to go to a certain spot just to get network.”

“For internet connection we have to travel a few kilometers up to another village.”

As head of the school, Ms Tuilovoni needs to get updates everyday through emails. To work around the connectivity problems she faces, she receives updates through text messages and avoids having to travel for five kilometers.

Despite the challenges, Ms Tuilovoni forges ahead, knowing her work, and that of teachers who work under her, is crucial for advising and connecting with students, building relationships with them and nurturing them for the future.

Her dedication and perseverance inspires her students to do their best and dream beyond their wildest imaginations.