<I>"They were teachers and, above all, models"</I>

“Two teachers marked me when I was at Royal College of Port-Louis: Mr. Raman and Mr. Honoré. They taught me Greek and Latin respectively, from Forms IV to VI. In a way, they embodied what I would call modernity. Indeed, in those days, it was quite impossible to see a teacher sitting on the corner of the table to teach. Unlike many teachers, they would not wait for the students to wave at them to say hello, they would be the first to do so. Also, if they saw students playing football during lunch or PE classes, they would come and play with them. Finally, in those days, teachers normally wore suits on the school grounds. But Mr. Raman and Mr. Honoré would not mind changing into shorts during the day to practise with us on the playgrounds.

Our class was a very turbulent one with students like Cyril Empeigne, Alain Teycheney, Santosh Kumar Mahadeo, Jacques Panglose, Siddick Naudeer, Cyril Ramdoo, Malleck Amode, France Kistnen, D. Seetulsing, Gérard Malliaté and many others who now play key roles in our society. However, when it came to calming us down, both teachers were up to the task. In fact, they would shout loudly: “Come on, man!” But they would never use any harsh method such as the common "arrest".

As a consequence, they inculcated a sense of responsibility in us. Apart from the fact that they were our teachers, they would not mind seeing students after school to chat. If there is one thing I will never forget about Mr. Honoré, it is when he was pronouncing the phrase: “El pis ephe Kaka’ allagare”. Obviously, we were laughing on hearing such pronunciation. However, what this phrase actually meant was: “He says there was always hope even if there were trouble upfront!” I was very sad when I heard of the demise of Mr. Raman and Mr Honoré, who were both so gifted. Mr. Raman was a tremendously talented sportsman. It makes me even sadder when I realize that he passed away after a badminton match.

But the one teacher I think I owe a lot to is certainly Miss Ramalinga, my primary school teacher. I have to admit that, if today I am the person that I am, I owe it to her. Her pedagogical approach was simply incredible! I have to say that she was really dedicated to her work. Miss Ramalinga taught me for almost three years both at school and in tuition and even when I was doing “Junior scholarship”. As a matter of fact, she was the one who contributed the most to my success in that class. As a result, I came out first in that competition. This is how I got into Royal College of Port-Louis.

Moreover, she was the one who came to announce to me that I was first. I still remember that day when my family and I thought that I had failed because when we were listening to the radio, after the fifteenth name, my name had still not been mentioned. We all concluded that I had failed. I went and stayed in my bedroom not wishing to talk to anyone. All of a sudden, my mother came to tell me that Miss Ramalinga had come to see me. To be honest, I did not want to see her. I thought I had had enough sermons. However, I accepted to face her, but when she congratulated for coming out first, she simply sent me to seventh heaven.

There were around 15 students in her class during tuition time. Our present prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam, was in that class. We all enjoyed going to her tuition classes. She knew how to make us feel some pleasure while studying. Sometimes she would give us some biscuits and lemonade. Her personality was simply marvellous! Consequently, this fitted very well with the way she taught. She was not severe at all! She was not the kind of teacher who would use a stick or whatever to tell us off. She was a very quiet woman who had a very low voice. Surprisingly enough, we did not abuse her kindness.

I firmly believe that a good teacher should be someone who knows how to make students work and how to make students take pleasure in their work. They should be in a position to make the child understand that a good essay, for example, is a great success. Those teachers I mentioned were dedicated to their work. They were teachers, trainers and above all they were models!”