Stefanus Nashama
A former member of the Namibian Defence Force, Maria James (46), who served as a soldier for 18 years quit her job to pursue her passion for teaching.
James decided to resign from the NDF about four years ago to study for an education degree at the University of Namibia.
In an interview with the Windhoek Observer yesterday, James said that she graduated last week Thursday as a professional teacher after completing a four-year program in Education at the University of Namibia.
She specialised in pre and junior primary education.
“I want to pass my knowledge at the grassroots level. I love kids and they are easy to manage,” James said.
According to James, she always wanted to be a nurse, but soon after completing grade 10 at Gabriel Taapopi Secondary School in 1995, she got a teaching post and taught from 1996-1997.
“It was at that point in my life that my passion for teaching was fueled. I changed my mind and my love for education grew,” she explained.
James joined the NDForce in 2001 but left in 2019 to register at Unam.
“I also asked my husband and parents and they all supported me by giving me the go-ahead,” she said.
James explained that she completed her first year through distance learning.
“Due to a lack of proper understanding, I decided to put the other three years on full-time study mode. I was accepted at Unam through the Age Mature Entry program, and I subsequently applied for the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund to fund my studies. I faced challenges but this did not stop me,” She added.
She graduated along with 900 other students from the four northern campuses.
“Everything has its own time and everyone can make a difference in life. If there were no challenges, I could not have achieved my dream. I was motivated by challenges,” she said.
James indicated that she will further her studies, to inspire those who lost hope about studying.
“If I reached my dream, you too can reach your dream. Do not give up, education is a journey. You can do it,” she encouraged other Namibians.
