Growing up Dr Sofia Ali always envisioned herself working in the medical field. However, the strong influence of her parents saw her pursue a career as a schoolteacher.
Looking back, Dr Ali said it was a choice she never regretted.
“My parents wanted me to stay closer to home so they advised me to accept the PSC scholarship and pursue my studies at then Lautoka Teachers College and become a primary school teacher,” said Dr Ali.
Now a lecturer at the Fiji National University’s (FNU), College of Humanities and Education, Dr Ali teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in primary education. She was born and raised in Ba with two younger brothers.
She attended Wailailai Sanatan School and Varavu Muslim primary schools before progressing to Kamil Muslim College.
After high school, she enrolled for the certificate level in primary teaching program at Lautoka Teacher’s College, now known as the FNU’s College of Humanities and Education (CHE) in Natabua, Lautoka.
“I had to stay in a hostel, but I opted to stay at my relative’s place in Natabua and it was the first time I stayed away from home and on my own.
“It was an exciting journey. I remember how we used to do handwritten assignments and were expected to make creative cover pages.”
Dr Ali completed the program and graduated in 1990. Her first posting was at Wairabetia Muslim Primary School in Lautoka in 1991 as an assistant teacher.
“My first experience was fascinating, as well as challenging as I was given an exam class.
The students had to sit for the Fiji Intermediate Examination in Class 6. “I had to produce a 100 per cent pass rate, which was told to me on the first day during a staff meeting.
I had to deliver my best and used all my skills and strategies learned at LTC.”
Dr Ali spent the next five years at the school teaching classes three, four, seven and eight.
She then took a transfer closer to home due to family commitments, thus, taught at Tuvu Primary School in Lautoka from January 1997.
After more than a decade she was transferred to Drasa Muslim Primary School in Lautoka and as promoted to an executive teacher position in 2008.
Dr Ali continued for a further 17 years during which time she pursued higher education and achieved a Bachelor of Education (Primary) in 2007 and Postgraduate Diploma in Education in 2008 from the University of the South Pacific.
She enrolled in the Master of Education program at USP in 2008. In 2008, she applied for a lecturer’s position at the then LTC and was selected.
“It was a bold move for me and one I am glad I made it.
My family was very supportive and always encouraged me to pursue further education and strive for more.”
Dr Ali worked as a lecturer in July 2008 before LTC became FNU in 2010.
In January 2015, she was promoted to lecturer I — Primary Education, her current position. She is the acting Head of School of Education.
Dr Ali is looking forward to being an associate professor in the years to come.
“I am glad my parents had chosen this path for me. I enjoy my job and I find it satisfying.
I am also grateful for the then leaders of LTC for building a strong foundation for me to build a career path.
“First and foremost, you must genuinely love the children, curriculum, lesson plans, paperwork and tests are all important and necessary, but the real difference is made in that personal connection.”
Dr Ali’s top three tips for FNU’s current and future students are: n to get organised;
* set high standards and expectations; and
* aim to be a reflective practitioner.
She has recently completed her Ph.D. in Education and published seven papers from Bangalore University, India through the ICCR scholarship.
