HOLDING white chalk against blackboard for 36 years made Mrs Dorothy Bana from Isabel province a role model female teacher in Solomon Islands.

She was awarded with a medal and certificate from Solomon Islands National Teachers Association.

During the recent World Teacher Day in Tatamba, Isabel province, SINTA recognised Mrs Bana ‘who don’t break in teaching for her 36 years’ and claimed medal for a job of passion since youthful days.

On her days of teaching, Mrs Bana has contributed a lot in shaping many students in Isabel province and Guadalcanal province to have better education and career in life—currently she was retired but still mentor to children and women in her community.

SINTA awarded a gold medal and certificate for being a role model in teaching but on the other a something she never dreamt about or deserved—her dream is wanted children have good education.

Mrs Bana was with mixed feeling when awarded but whatever the day made her a proud woman to encourage more women in teaching industry of Solomon Islands.

“For me I am not worthy to take this award, the work I done for my community should be enough but this honor made me live with mixed feeling,” Mrs Bana said “I looked back, and asked myself, did I worthy for this award.”

Eventually, Mrs Bana started teaching at a very small beginning with children at Sunday school when she was a young girl in Kologaru village of Isabel province.

As a young girl who grew in male dominated community, Mrs Bana said it was quite challenging for her in those days where female are restricted in taking leadership role but that doesn’t a obstacle on her to teach or role model for children in Sunday school or desire for teaching prep.

In 1981 Mrs Bana started her teaching profession until 2015, and during this period of teaching she mould many children, resulted SINTA awarded her for an astounding work.

“I decided to become a teacher because my conscience already focus on teaching and love children,” Mrs Bana said.

Mrs Bana during her teaching life she had achieve her dreams, and she was excited to see some of the student she teach have white collar job and own private businesses which is her sole goal.

Despite the fact she retire, Mrs Bana she never regret it because she done a lot to the communities, and feel very proud something remains as legacy for her—she fulfils what she like.

She said teaching prep class is difficult, and you hardly see male taking children taking low class like prep to grade one but Mrs Bana wanted teaching children.

Mrs Bana encourages all teachers in the nation especially female teachers to continue strive for our children say to any development they are ones who determines the future before anyone could become in any profession in life.

She said teachers are the key, and they should be recognised in the country for their responsibilities.

Mrs Bana within her 36 years of teaching—19 years were in Isabel and 17 year in Guadalcanal, Ghalibiu and Tanakuku. Now she retired, and lives in her community in Kologaru village continuing mentoring children in Sunday school and women.

SINTA recognised Mrs Bana for her long teaching service in the country as a primary teacher teaching prep. She started teaching in 1981 to 2015 basically in Isabel and Guadalcanal province.

There are other six awardees that SINTA honoured for their duties in shaping students of Solomon Islands in the past years, and the World Teachers Day marked their retirement duty.