After spending a decade away from the classroom, 27-year-old Ezekiel Marambini has returned to school and is now preparing to sit his Grade 12 national examinations.
His return proves that it is never too late to pursue an education.
Marambini, from Ragiampun Village in Morobe’s Markham District, dropped out after failing Grade 10 at Markham Valley Secondary School in 2014.
He returned to school in 2025, enrolling in Grade 11 at Kupiano Secondary School, where he was elected school president. This year he transferred to Koiari Park Adventist Secondary School to complete Grade 12.
Speaking to PNG SUN during the IBS University Inter-School Management Fest recently, Marambini said determination, not age, had motivated him to return to his studies.
“Time is not an excuse when your mindset is focused right towards your goals,” he said.
Marambini began his education at Ragiampun SDA Primary School, where he completed Grade 7 before moving to a government school to complete Grade 8 because his village school did not offer the grade.
He attended Markham Valley Secondary School for Grades 9 and 10 but failed his Grade 10 examinations in 2014.
Instead of giving up, he enrolled at Umi Vocational Training Centre, where he completed an automotive mechanic certificate in 2016.
He later moved to Port Moresby, where he became actively involved in church activities while living with relatives.
“Living in the city was very difficult compared to the village. I faced a lot of challenges, problems and painful situations, but I did not give up,” he said.
In 2020, Marambini secured a job as a shop assistant with CPL and was recognized as Best Employee of the Year in 2021.
Despite enjoying his job, he said his dream of completing his education never faded.
“After Christmas in 2024, I decided to go back to school,” he said.
He resigned from his job and enrolled at Kupiano Secondary School, where he completed the preparatory program before entering Grade 11.
This year he transferred to Koiari Park Adventist Secondary School to complete Grade 12.
Marambini said his experiences as a mechanic, retail worker and active church member had helped shape his leadership skills and discipline.
“I am really enjoying my educational career, but this is not it. I am still not satisfied. I really want to go to university,” he said.
He encouraged other young people who had dropped out of school not to lose hope.
“As a failure, I want to advise other students that it is never too late. You can fall. You can fail, but you can always get up and continue.”
His message to young Papua New Guineans was simple.
“Never give up. Life is full of challenges, but put God first in everything,” he said.