THE Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Senior Lecturer and Head of School of Education, Dr John Lenga Sisiolo has shared the story of his educational journey to a group of Form 6 graduands with the objective of inspiring them to persevere in their own educational journeys and be successful.
Dr Sisiolo, who earned his PhD in Education Leadership at University of Southern Queensland in Australia, was the Guest of Honor at the Bekabeka Adventist High Community School graduation ceremony on Monday. The school is on Gatokae Island in the Western Province.
The graduation ceremony was held on Monday 21 October at the school chapel in the presence of parents, guardians, school fee payers, friends, visitors and the school staff and students.
“My father was a standard 2 leaver, while my mother dropped out at standard 6. Because my parents could not afford our (his siblings and himself) education, they came up with some strict rules when we attended primary school at Katurasele, Choiseul.
“Our erasers were the rubber lid of old penicillin bottles, our rulers were strips of dried bamboo and our exercise books were cut into two halves.
“We must write in pencil so that all the writings can be erased by our father when our exercise books are full. This was to allow us re-use these books. Anyone of us who writes with a pen will be smacked – heavy discipline,” Dr Sisiolo told the Form 6 graduands as he reflected on the strict rules of his father imposed on him and his siblings.
Dr Sisiolo said the hard discipline exercised by his father, he and two of his siblings graduated with doctorates in three different fields.
“I am humbled to reflect on the tough journey we travelled. At the end of this academic journey, our poor parents managed to achieve three Doctors of Philosophy (PhD) sons: Dr Lipson Sisiolo (PhD) in Medicine, Australia, Dr John Lenga Sisiolo (PhD) in Educational Leadership, USQ, Australia and Dr Jointly Sisiolo (PhD) in Environmental Law and Environmental Governance, University of New England, Australia,” he said.
Dr Sisiolo added that the challenging experiences his family went through motivated him and his siblings to take their education seriously and work hard.
“Graduands, you have worked very hard and your families, relatives and friends are all proud of you.
“Your parents did all in their power to help you get a leg up in life.
“Many families and parents are willing to give up nice things like owning expensive things and like building a good permanent house. Needless to say, your parents also spent sleepless nights. Many times they went to bed without food.
“On their beds, eyes were closed but minds were open, thinking about how to support you financially and get resources for your education.
“It is their strong desire that you will become a useful asset,” he said.
Dr John Lenga Sisiolo often gets invited by schools to speak at their graduation ceremonies to encourage graduands and continuing students alike to treasure and value education as the key to success in life.
By LACHLAN SHYVES EDDIE
Solomon Star, Honiara
