Dino’s childhood was a sad one. He grew up with his grandmother in a one-room flat, supported by a financial assistance scheme, after his mother was diagnosed with mental illness and his father was deemed unfit to care for Dino because of the former’s low intellect.

His family was too poor to buy him storybooks, so Dino would read his textbooks over and over again, to the point that he could recite them.

Inspired by an ex-teacher, the N level holder tried his hand at several courses, from nursing to plumbing to accounting. He finally decided to take his O levels as a private candidate while serving his National Service. A good thing he did, as that allowed him to pursue a diploma in pre-school education, which he discovered to be his calling.

Still, he did not rest on his laurels. While working as a full-time pre-school teacher, he pursued an advanced diploma in pre-school education. He successfully completed the programme last year.

Today, Dino’s quest for knowledge continues — he is attending an online course in early childhood education. His advice to those like him? “Don’t be disheartened. There is nothing you cannot learn.”