Nuwaira Pasha believes in leading by example. She shares with Sunory Dutt the trials of being a single parent and yet excelling at her job.
Nuwaira heads the Primary School at Indus International School Hyderabad and the Indus Early Learning Centres in Hyderabad and Chennai. Her scope of work involves teacher training, planning and developing curriculum, mentoring, educating parents, monitoring and execution of the schools’ teaching philosophy and curriculum etc.
Well aware of her responsibility in moulding the minds of impressionable children, Nuwaira explains, “Ninety per cent of brain development takes place in the early years, between the ages of 0-3. The primary years play a vital role in shaping our adulthood. Building the right foundation and nurturing children in these crucial years has a significant impact in creating confident and successful individuals,” says Nuwaira.
In a short span of 18 months, Indus Early Learning Centre has been ranked as the top pre-primary school in Hyderabad by the Education World, largely due to the efforts and commitment Nuwaira has displayed.
Nuwaira is a single mother who moved to India five years ago with her three-month-old son. She’s been raising him single-handedly ever since. Despite being a member of the illustrious Chennai-based ‘Pasha’ family, Nuwaira opted to move to Hyderabad. “I wanted to get back on my feet and take control of my life instead of wallowing in self pity. Sometimes some relationships are simply not meant to be, I guess! My family was very supportive and perhaps wanted me to live in Chennai close to them but understood it was important for me to be independent. They didn’t let their apprehensions get in my way.”
With a Qualified Teacher’s status from the Teaching Council of England and a Diploma in Early years and Pre-school Practice from London and many years of teaching at Feltonfleet School, Surrey, England, Nuwaira was readily accepted into Indus. She began as a Prep 2 teacher. Within six months she became the Early years coordinator and went on to work on establishing their Early Learning Centres. Six months after having set up the Early Learning Centre in Hyderabad she was made the Head of Primary School.
She reminisces, “My son was 18 months when I started work. I’d take him along with me and taught classes while he was looked after by a hired nurse. I’d keep checking on him during my breaks. Luckily I am blessed with a very accommodating child who has a lovely temperament.”
“It’s very difficult living as a single woman/mother in India. The more successful you become, the lonelier it gets, I am beginning to realise. It’s very important to have a positive attitude towards life as even suffering has meaning. Good comes out of every experience. It’s only down to how we perceive and react to them. What keeps me going is my belief and conviction in my work and myself. Commitment, perseverance and resilience are key to living a happy and successful life!”
