ISEI Vutevute broke many barriers to be where he is.
The Nadevo villager from Magodro, Ba was the first from his family to achieve a degree from the University of the South Pacific.
He was also the first from his family to become a school teacher and head teacher.
All these achievements stemmed from a ‘career tree’ that was displayed on a notice board at the Fiji National University (FNU) campus in Samabula more than 20 years ago.
Mr Vutevute, was a 20-year-old then and completing a trade certificate in carpentry when he came across this ‘career tree’.
It showed the different career path one can get when you enrol for a program.
“By profession I am a carpenter, I joined FNU to learn carpentry skills.
But when I saw that career chart, I was amazed at the options available to us.
What caught my eye was the career path for a quantity surveyor; I used to admire those working out there on the road. However, because of my father’s wishes — I had to complete my certificate in carpentry and return to the village to build homes.”
But times were hard back then, Mr Vutevute was the sole breadwinner in the family and he had to support his parents.
Then in 1987 the coup struck, many skilled Fijians migrated overseas.
Isei was at home in the village when a family friend convinced him to apply for a teaching post at the Ministry of Education.
“There was a big shortage in teachers at the time, so armed with my certificate in carpentry, I was accepted to teach industrial arts and woodwork at Holy Cross in Taveuni as an assistant teacher,” Mr Vutevute said.
But the hunger to study hovered. He worked, saved and managed to pay his way to an Advanced certificate in Building and an Advanced Diploma in Building. Later he managed a Diploma in Education.
“When I got transferred to Tilak High School in Lautoka, I was the only iTaukei teacher there,” he shared.
“I used to mingle a lot with the the head of departments and the head teacher and they saw the potential in me.
“They advised me to attain higher education and not get comfortable in my posting. So I applied for transfer and got posted to the Yasawa Group where I spent seven years working and saving for my education because at the time I was the sole breadwinner, my wife didn’t work.
“When I saved enough I applied again for transfer and was given the post to teach at Suva Grammar School. This made it possible for me to complete my Bachelors Degree in Education majoring in Technology at the University of the South Pacific. In the day time I taught, in the evening I attended classes at USP,” he smiled.
He attained his degree, Mr Vutevute was posted to Bua as a HOD or Head of the Industrial Arts Department.
Later he was promoted to vice-principal and eventually principal when he returned to Viti Levu.
Soon he gained a reputation for improving the ‘under performing schools’.
From low percentage passes to disciplinary issues, he took on the challenge and applied discipline and special programs he devised to help the schools.
“I never once saw myself in the teaching field,” he said with a smile.
“Who would have thought that a certificate in carpentry would help pave the way for greater things.”
“The good thing about it though is the memories — there’s so many. It gives me satisfaction to see my former students achieve a lot of things.”
Mr Vutevute is based at Maharishi Sanatan College in Votualevu, Nadi where he is the school principal.
