![]() BEING the youngest in a family of five children and losing both his parents while still studying, did not stop Altus Binawaiya from achieving his dreams of becoming a high school teacher. On Friday, Dec 1, 23-year-old Binawaiya stood proudly as he receive his bachelor’s degree at the 7th graduation of the St Peter Channel Catholic College of Secondary Teacher Education in Kokopo, East New Britain (ENB). From Basima village in the Duduna ward of Esa’ala’s Dobu local level government, Milne Bay, Binawaiya told The National that his older siblings did not continue to colleges and tertiary institutions because of school fee issues. Their parents were subsistence farmers and could not afford the fees. “After completing Gr12 in 2019, I was accepted to do civil engineering at the University of Technology in Lae, Morobe,” Binawaiya said. “However, the fees were too high so I ended up at the St Peter Channel College where the fees were reasonable. “Just into my first year of studies and the sad news came: my dad had passed on.
“Then, it got worse, the following year, my mum died. “Because of money issues, I did not attend their funeral and burial. “I was heart broken. “But, in a way, the passing of both my parents was the catalyst. “They provided me with a purpose, an objective, a dream for a destiny that I must reach. “ I have to complete my studies, and there is no turning back, failure is not an option.” Showing his papers to The National, Binawaiya said: “The Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Teacher Education I now have in my hand is dedicated to his both my parents. “They are not here today but I know they are proud, rejoicing and celebrating in heaven.” Binawaiya had been given a teaching position at the Mendi Secondary School in Southern Highlands, starting next year. During his schooling, this young man never went home. For his entire four years of study, home was ENB. “I managed to complete my school fees through the school fee loan assistance scheme. I have been doing that since 2021,” Binawaiya said. “From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all who have supported me through these tough years of my life: the teaching staff of this college, especially Nicholas Pion and to my ENB families, my friends; I thank you all,” Binawaiya said. “I want to encourage young people who are facing difficulties in their studies to focus, meet your challenges head-on and always move forward. “These challenges will bring positive outcomes if we look deeper, address them and never give up. “Always trust God, give all your problems to Him and let Him deal with your problems.” Meanwhile, the overall dux student for the year, out of 104 students, went to Nicole Kunai, 22, of Raburbur ward in Gazelle’s Reimber-Livuan local level government. TheNational/PNGEducationnews Also read Comments are closed.
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